The forthcoming Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) elections, scheduled for September 4, have triggered a national discussion on gender inclusivity in cricket governance. For years, women cricketers have voiced concerns over their limited representation in decision-making bodies, but recent social media statements from top players have brought the issue into sharp public focus. The debate now extends beyond administrative policy—it reflects deeper cultural questions about how women’s cricket is valued in Bangladesh.
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Rumana Ahmed’s Public Stand Against Marginalisation
Former Bangladesh women’s team all-rounder Rumana Ahmed, a central figure in the side’s rise to prominence on the international stage, issued a strongly worded statement criticising CWAB’s lack of female involvement. In her post, she drew comparisons between Bangladesh and other cricketing nations, where women’s cricket has made significant strides.
Citing global examples such as the Women’s Indian Premier League (WIPL), Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), and Women’s Pakistan Super League (WPSL), Rumana lamented Bangladesh’s slow pace in launching the Women’s Bangladesh Premier League (WBPL)—a tournament that has been repeatedly promised but never fully materialised.
“While developed cricketing nations are moving far ahead with their women cricketers alongside the men, we don’t even bring our women cricketers into the conversation,” she wrote. “We, too, bring glory to the country’s cricket… Every year, it’s the same promises of ‘next year’ that go nowhere.”
Her frustration extended to representation within CWAB itself. She questioned why high-profile male cricketers such as Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan, and Mahmudullah are consistently part of the dialogue, while celebrated women players like Salma Khatun, Rumana Ahmed, and Jahanara Alam are absent.
Nigar Sultana Adds to the Growing Outcry
National team captain Nigar Sultana lent weight to Rumana’s claims with her own succinct social media remark:
“There’s a difference between cricketers and women cricketers, my friend.”
Though brief, the statement underscored the perception that women’s cricket remains an afterthought within Bangladesh’s cricketing establishment, despite international success and growing public interest.
CWAB’s Position: “No Gender Barriers Exist”
In response, Selim Shahed, CWAB’s convener and a former cricketer-turned-match referee, rejected accusations of systemic gender bias. He stressed that the association’s rules allow any national player—male or female—to participate in the electoral process, provided they meet the membership requirements.
“All the former national players can be life members by paying the required fees… Any cricketer earning the voting right can take part in the CWAB election, and there is no such hard and fast rule that women cricketers cannot take part,” Shahed said.
He encouraged women players to apply for permanent or life memberships, stating that CWAB “would welcome” their participation and candidacy in elections.
Understanding CWAB Membership and Voting Rules
CWAB’s constitution outlines a clear but multi-tiered membership structure:
- Life Members:
- Eligible: Any former player with CCDM registration.
- Fees: 1,00,000 Taka (general), 50,000 Taka (former national players).
- Benefits: Voting rights, no annual subscription.
- Permanent Members:
- Eligible: Players from the Bangladesh national team, first-class cricket, List A, or Premier League since 1972.
- Fees:
- Former national players / first-class / Premier League: 5,000 Taka annually.
- Current national players (men): 24,000 Taka annually.
- Current first-class (men): 6,000 Taka annually.
- Current Premier League / List A: 3,000 Taka annually.
- Current national women players: 2,400 Taka annually.
- Benefits: Voting rights for all national and first-class players.
- Associate Members:
- Eligible: Anyone who has played cricket with CCDM registration at lower divisions or represented district teams.
- Fees: 2,000 Taka entrance, 1,200 Taka annually.
- Benefits: No voting rights unless upgraded to permanent membership.
Voting in the September 2025 election will be limited to permanent and life members who meet all fee and eligibility requirements.
Global Context: How Bangladesh Compares
In leading cricket nations, women’s cricket enjoys increasing parity with men’s cricket. The Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA) and Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) in England have integrated female cricketers into governance and collective bargaining. These bodies ensure women’s voices are present at board level, influencing tournament structures, player contracts, and sponsorship opportunities.
In contrast, Bangladesh’s women’s cricket—despite achievements like the 2018 Women’s Asia Cup victory—remains on the periphery of such institutional influence. The stalled WBPL and the absence of women in CWAB’s visible leadership are seen as symptoms of a deeper cultural gap.
The Cultural Shift Needed
While CWAB insists on procedural fairness, the controversy points to more than just technical eligibility—it raises the issue of active engagement. Women cricketers are not simply asking for permission to participate; they are demanding proactive inclusion in conversations that shape the sport’s future.
As Bangladesh cricket looks ahead, the September 4 election is shaping up as a symbolic battleground. If CWAB succeeds in increasing women’s involvement, it could mark a turning point for equality in cricket governance. If not, the association risks reinforcing the perception that women’s cricket is secondary.
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In the past few months, the #Women's cricketers of #Bangladesh have faced gross neglect from two of the leading cricketing entities in the country – the Bangladesh #Cricket Board and the Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh…#SportsNews https://t.co/wf1hyfsIOr
— The Daily Star (@dailystarnews) August 9, 2025
Conclusion
The CWAB election controversy has exposed a critical juncture for Bangladesh cricket—whether to embrace genuine inclusivity or remain bound by traditions that marginalise women’s voices. While membership rules appear neutral on paper, the absence of active female participation signals a deeper cultural barrier. The coming election offers CWAB an opportunity to demonstrate that all cricketers—regardless of gender—have an equal stake in shaping the game’s future. How the association responds may well define its legacy in Bangladesh’s cricketing history.
