Bangladesh pacer Jahanara Alam has made a startling claim, accusing a former cricketer of sexual harassment. Currently on a mental health break, Alam has alleged that she was subjected to inappropriate advances from members of the national team management during the 2022 Women’s ODI World Cup.
Cricbuzz reports that former pace bowler Manjurul Islam, who served as the women’s selector and manager, reportedly hindered her career progression because she refused his indecent proposals.
“I faced several times (indecent proposal), not once. Definitely, when we are involved with the team, we cannot speak out about many things, even if we want to. When it comes to your bread and butter, when you are known by a few people, you cannot say or protest many things even if you want to,” Jahanara told the Riasat Azim YouTube channel on Thursday.
Jahanara Alleges Sexual Harassment By Former Officials, Claims BCB Ignored Complaints
Jahanara alleged that the late Towhid Mahmud had also made advances toward her through BCB employee Sarfaraz Babu. She added that former women’s committee head Nadel Chowdhury did not intervene to stop Manjurul’s harassment, and BCB chief executive Nizamuddin Chowdhury dismissed her complaints.
“In 2021, Towhid Bhai approached me through Babu Bhai (Coordinator Sarfaraz Babu). I’ve said this many times before. I don’t know why they misbehaved with me. I tried hard to stay quiet and focus on cricket. But when I tactfully avoided the proposal, Manju Bhai began humiliating and insulting me from the very next day,” Jahanara said.
“Towhid Bhai never spoke to me directly — he sent Babu Bhai instead. After a year and a half, I submitted an ‘Observation Letter’ to the CEO. I ignored Babu Bhai’s proposal to protect myself, and that’s when Manju Bhai’s bad behaviour started.”
She added, “The second proposal came from Manju Bhai during the 2022 World Cup. I decided to inform the BCB about everything that had happened over the past year and a half. As I told Nadel Sir several times — he’d offer a temporary fix, but soon things went back to the same. I even informed the CEO
Recalling one incident in New Zealand, she said, “During pre-camp, he put his hand on my shoulder and often pulled girls close or talked near their ears. We avoided him, even during handshakes, joking nervously, ‘He’s coming, he’ll hug us again.’”
She continued, “He came close, held my hand, put his arm on my shoulder, and asked about my period — information he already knew from physios. When I said ‘five days,’ he replied, ‘Tell me when it’s over — I have to look after my side too.’ I just said, ‘Sorry, Bhaiya, I didn’t understand.’”
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