The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has formed an independent complaints committee to handle BCB sexual harassment complaints from women cricketers. The panel has started work with four members, while a former cricketer will join later as the fifth member.

The move is meant to give female players a safer and more neutral way to raise concerns. By keeping current BCB personnel out of the committee, the board wants to reduce the chance of internal pressure or conflicts of interest during an investigation.

Why the BCB Sexual Harassment Complaints Committee Matters

Cricket in Bangladesh has faced serious questions about player safety after former national captain Jahanara Alam publicly alleged sexual abuse by a member of the team management. Her allegations, made in November 2025, led the BCB to set up an inquiry committee and later promise stronger safeguards for women cricketers.

The new committee is different from that earlier inquiry body. It will work as a permanent complaints mechanism, allowing players to approach an independent group rather than depending only on an investigation formed after a specific incident.

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Who Will Lead the Committee?

Barrister Rashna Imam will head the five-member committee. She is a Supreme Court lawyer and a former member of the BCB’s ad hoc committee, and she was part of the convening committee led by Tamim Iqbal before the last BCB election.

The other named members are Barrister Nazia Kabir, Barrister Anita Gazi Rahman, and Zarin Mahmud Hossain. Chandra Banerjee will serve as the committee’s secretary.

• Barrister Rashna Imam: Committee head

• Barrister Nazia Kabir: Member

• Barrister Anita Gazi Rahman: Member

• Zarin Mahmud Hossain: Member

• A former cricketer: Fifth member, to be added later

• Chandra Banerjee: Committee secretary

Why BCB Members Were Kept Out

The board has deliberately excluded people directly connected to the BCB from the committee. This decision is intended to protect investigations from internal influence and possible conflicts of interest.

That structure is important because complaints may involve people within the cricket system. An independent panel can give women cricketers more confidence that their concerns will be heard fairly, without fear that a complaint will be handled by someone with a close connection to the accused or the board.

The committee began operations with four members. The fifth member, a former cricketer, is expected to be included in due course.

What the Committee Will Do

The panel’s main role is to receive, examine, and act on complaints related to sexual harassment and abuse. It is also expected to help create a safer environment for women cricketers across Bangladesh cricket.

The BCB has said it follows a zero-tolerance approach to abuse and sexual harassment. The board’s safeguarding policy sets out unacceptable behaviour, explains how a player can raise a complaint, and stresses confidentiality and fairness in the process.

• Players can approach the committee to report harassment or abuse

• The process is meant to remain confidential and fair

• The BCB says it has zero tolerance for sexual harassment

• The policy explains where and how complaints can be filed

• The committee is designed to work independently of board personnel

Link to the 2009 High Court Directive

The formation of the committee follows a 2009 directive from the High Court. The BCB had earlier said it wanted to strengthen institutional safeguards by adopting a complaint committee in line with that ruling.

The earlier BCB complaint committee was tasked with developing an independent complaint mechanism and introducing mandatory awareness training. Those steps were aimed at building a respectful and safe atmosphere across Bangladesh cricket.

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Background: Jahanara Alam’s Allegations

The latest development follows allegations made by Jahanara Alam in November 2025. The former Bangladesh women’s team captain accused a member of the team management of sexual abuse, prompting the BCB to form an inquiry committee.

Several other cricketers and team associates later spoke publicly about their experiences. The board then pledged to strengthen safeguards and establish a complaints committee under the 2009 High Court Division ruling.

The inquiry committee later found preliminary evidence of inappropriate behaviour by former selector and team manager Monjurul Islam in relation to Alam’s allegations. The BCB subsequently banned him from all direct or indirect involvement in cricket-related activities under its oversight.

A Step Toward Safer Women’s Cricket

This committee is not just an administrative announcement. For women cricketers, it could become a practical channel to report misconduct and seek action without having to go through people who may be part of the same system.

The BCB also plans to hold a workshop to create a direct line between the committee and cricketers. The idea is to make it easier for players to reach out at any time and speak up when they need support.

The real test will be how the committee works in practice. Players will watch whether complaints are handled quickly, confidentially, and without pressure, and whether the process leads to meaningful accountability.

What Happens Next?

The committee has already started functioning with four members. The addition of a former cricketer could be especially important, as that person may understand the pressures and environment faced by players.

The BCB’s website is also expected to give visitors quick access to information on where complaints can be filed. The board says it wants players to be able to find the complaint process easily and understand the support available to them.

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Why This Decision Is Significant

The creation of an independent committee signals that the BCB recognises the need for a stronger safeguarding system. It also responds to growing calls for women cricketers to have a safe, fair, and independent way to report harassment.

The focus now shifts to implementation. A committee can only build trust if players believe it will protect their identity, listen carefully, investigate properly, and act on its findings.