Hopes for an immediate end to the Bangladesh cricket boycott were dashed on Thursday night after negotiations between the players and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) hit a stalemate over the nature of an apology from Director M Najmul Islam.

Although the cricketers softened their stance and offered to return to the field on Friday, the BCB rejected their primary condition: that Najmul must apologize publicly for his offensive remarks.

In a press release issued earlier in the evening, the Cricketers' Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) stated they had reconsidered their total strike in the “greater interest of cricket,” noting the potential impact on the Women’s National Team and Under-19 side currently playing abroad.

The players welcomed the BCB's earlier decision to remove Najmul from the Finance Committee and initiate a show-cause process. However, they laid down a specific ultimatum: since Najmul’s comments insulting the players were made in public, he must also express regret publicly before they resume play.

According to media reports and some BCB sources, BCB President Aminul Islam rejected this demand during a conversation (not clear if it was physical or over phone) with CWAB President Mohammad Mithun and senior players.

Aminul reportedly argued that Najmul had already expressed regret internally and, as a “respected person,” could not be forced to apologize in the public sphere.

With the discussion ending inconclusively, uncertainty now looms over Friday’s scheduled BPL matches, following the abandonment of Thursday’s fixtures due to the boycott.