Bangladesh spinner Nayeem Hasan has alleged that he was assaulted by police officers in Chattogram on Friday night, prompting strong reactions from the Bangladesh cricket fraternity and a demand from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) for a thorough investigation into the incident.
According to reports, the 25-year-old cricketer was returning home from Dhaka Airport after Prime Bank Cricket Club’s Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League match in Savar, which he did not play, when the incident occurred. Nayeem was traveling in a CNG-run auto-rickshaw when police officers stopped the vehicle near Chattogram’s Lalkhan Bazar area.
Nayeem claimed the officers behaved aggressively without explaining the reason for stopping him. He alleged that the policemen grabbed him by the throat and forced him into another auto-rickshaw to take him to a police station. Despite bystanders informing the officers that he was a Bangladesh national cricketer, Nayeem said the police ignored their pleas.
“I repeatedly told them who I was, but they refused to listen,” Nayeem told reporters later. “The police beat me indiscriminately with sticks and plastic pipes. Later, when I identified myself at the police station, the officer-in-charge told me to keep my eyes down while speaking.”
Questioning the conduct of the officers, Nayeem added: “If they were really police officers, why did they try to put me into a CNG instead of a police vehicle? I want a fair investigation and justice over the entire incident.”
Chattogram Metropolitan Police deputy commissioner Amirul Islam said authorities had taken note of the allegations and promised action against anyone found guilty.
“It appears initially that the officers involved did not follow proper procedures during the operation,” Amirul told local media. “We will ensure that he receives justice, and whoever is found responsible will be brought under punishment.”
Nayeem was released in the early hours of Saturday and returned home.
The incident drew widespread condemnation from Bangladesh’s cricket community. Veteran wicketkeeper-batter Mushfiqur Rahim expressed his support for Nayeem, calling the alleged assault “absolutely unacceptable” and demanding a fair investigation.
The BCB also issued a statement on Saturday, expressing “deep concern” over the reported harassment and abuse of the national team cricketer.
“The board strongly condemns the unacceptable and inappropriate conduct displayed towards the player and views the matter with the utmost seriousness. Such treatment of a national athlete is deeply regrettable and warrants immediate attention,” the statement read.
The board further called for a “thorough and impartial investigation” and urged the relevant authorities to take appropriate action against those responsible.
The Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh also demanded strict action against those involved in the alleged harassment.
Nayeem, who has played 14 Tests for Bangladesh since making his debut in 2018, was recently named in the country’s 15-member squad for the upcoming one-off Test against Zimbabwe later this month.
– Ends
 to demand an investigation.){kind=link}