In an emotional address during the cricketers' press conference on Thursday, Bangladesh all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz hit back at the common narrative that players live off public funds.

He also claimed that fans are being deliberately misled about the financial reality of the national team.

Speaking at the Dhaka hotel alongside national captains and BPL players from Rangpur, Noakhali, and Chattogram BPL franchises, Miraz sought to clarify misconceptions that often fuel abuse when the team underperforms.

“Many times when we play badly, it is said that ‘you run on our money, you play because we pay.’ It is not like that,” Miraz stated.

Miraz explained that the Bangladesh Cricket Board's (BCB) revenue primarily comes from the International Cricket Council (ICC) and sponsors, not taxpayer contributions.

He emphasized that cricketers are actually significant contributors to the state coffers.

“We probably pay the most tax. We pay 25-30 percent tax. This means we give money to the government... It is not that the government gives us money,” he asserted, adding that this reality is rarely explained to the public.

The all-rounder expressed frustration that “negative aspects” are often amplified to turn fans against the players. He noted that despite facing severe verbal abuse during tough times, players remain accessible to their supporters.

“We eat so much abuse, yet we still take pictures with the spectators... We could have said we won't take photos... but we never do that,” he said.

Miraz concluded with a stern warning that players would no longer tolerate disrespect toward the profession that shapes their identities.

“Today I am Mehidy Hasan Miraz because of cricket... When someone disrespects cricket, we will definitely take a stand,” he declared.