BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today to journalists at his residence in Kalibari, Thakurgaon. Photo : BSS

THAKURGAON, Jan 12, 2026, (BSS) - Terming the withdrawal of pace bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League (IPL) a humiliation for the country, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has backed the Bangladesh Cricket Board's firm stance on the matter.

"The honour of our country is deeply linked to cricket...One of our cricketers has been insulted, and through that decision, the country itself was also insulted," he said while talking to reporters at his residence in Kalibari of the district town on Monday morning.

Referring to the BCB's decision not to play men's T20 World Cup matches in India citing security concerns for Bangladeshi players, he said the path should remain open to resolving such issues through dialogue.

Mirza Fakhrul, a former cricketer and ex-board member, said international considerations were involved in the issue.

Regarding water sharing issues, he said if BNP comes to power, due share of water will be obtained through discussions and maintaining mutual respect with India.

Responding to a query, he said it is government's failure that it could not be able to recover all illegal arms and ammunitions ahead of the polls. 

In another query, he said that BNP Chairman Tareq Rahman will return to the northern region and visit the graves of martyrs of the mass uprising, including Rangpur's martyr Abu Said.

"I think congenial environment for the election is currently exist in the country...But ground reality will be understood when election campaign will begin officially," he added.

Referring to BNP's dissatisfaction over the law and order situation in the country, including the recovery of weapons, he said, "We are hopeful that all steps will be taken to restore law and order to normal levels prior to the elections."