DHAKA, Bangladesh — The Bangladesh Cricket Board has removed Nazmul Islam as chairman of its finance committee following a players' boycott that postponed matches in two domestic leagues on Thursday. The move came in direct response to player demands after Nazmul made disparaging remarks suggesting national cricketers should repay the board's investment if Bangladesh withdrew from the upcoming T20 World Cup in India.

The boycott led to the postponement of two Bangladesh Premier League matches and four Dhaka Cricket League games, as players—including many national team members—refused to take the field. Neither the Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh nor the BCB declared the boycott over, casting doubt on whether Friday’s scheduled matches will proceed.

In a statement, the BCB announced the decision to remove Nazmul, noting that the board's president will assume the role of acting finance committee chairman. "The BCB reiterates that the interests of the cricketers remain its highest priority," the statement read.

Nazmul’s comments on Wednesday were a direct fallout from the BCB’s decision to refuse playing World Cup matches in India. The board is demanding its group stage matches be relocated to co-host Sri Lanka after premier fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman was released by his IPL franchise, Kolkata Knight Riders, on instructions from the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

Bangladesh is slated to play three group matches in Kolkata, including its opener against the West Indies on February 7, with one match scheduled in Mumbai.