Bangladesh Test captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has voiced strong disapproval over a Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) director's comment labeling former captain Tamim Iqbal an 'Indian agent'. M. Najmul Islam, the BCB finance committee chairman, made the controversial remark in a now-deleted Facebook post after Tamim Iqbal advised the board to prioritize cricketing interests over emotional decisions regarding the upcoming T20 World Cup. Shanto expressed profound sadness and called the comment unacceptable, stressing the need for respect towards players, especially a decorated former captain like Tamim. He asserted that the BCB, as a guardian, should correct players privately, not publicly. The broader context of this controversy involves escalating tensions between the Bangladesh Cricket Board and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The dispute intensified following the BCCI's directive for the release of Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League (IPL) due to unspecified 'developments all around'. This led the BCB to formally request the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate Bangladesh's T20 World Cup 2026 matches, originally scheduled in India (Kolkata and Mumbai), to Sri Lanka, citing security concerns. Shanto admitted that the uncertainty surrounding Bangladesh's participation in the T20 World Cup in India is taking a significant psychological toll on the players. He highlighted that despite appearing professional, the team is 'acting' as if everything is normal, underscoring the mental strain caused by the off-field issues. This ongoing diplomatic standoff and the public jibe at Tamim Iqbal underscore deep divisions within Bangladesh cricket and strained relations with India, raising questions about governance and player welfare ahead of a major international tournament.