Bangladesh Pacer Tanzim Hasan Sakib Lands In Controversy For Misogynist Remarks 'If Wife Works, Family Is Ruined' On Social Media

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Bangladesh pace sensation Tanzim Hasan Sakib has landed in controversy just days after impressive international debut after his misogynistic social media post that criticized working women came to light on Monday (September 18).

On Friday (September 15), Sakib had dismissed India captain Rohit Sharma in his fourth delivery in his very first international game and bowled the crucial final over that secured victory for Bangladesh by 6 runs in the Asia Cup 2023 super four match.

However, the commendation of his stellar performance on debut quickly turned into condemnation from women's rights activists and feminists when his earlier controversial social media posts criticizing women cropped up.

"If the wife works, the husband's rights are not ensured. If the wife works, the child's rights are not ensured. If the wife works, her elegance is damaged. If the wife works, the family is ruined. If the wife works, the veil is ruined. If the wife works, society is ruined," Tanzim had posted on Facebook last year.

Women form the vast majority of the workforce of garment factories that have driven much of Bangladesh's economic growth in recent years. However, conservative patriarchal attitudes remain widespread in the majority Muslim country.

In another post, Tanzim had warned men that their sons would not have a "modest" mother if they married "a woman who is accustomed to free mixing with her male friends in a university."

The comments provoked a backlash, with Paris-based feminist writer Jannatun Nayeem Prity pointing out that the Bangladesh team jerseys were made in factories mostly staffed by women. "I feel sorry for you that you don't consider your mother a normal human being," she added.

Writer Swakrito Noman described the comments as "deeply offensive" in a widely-shared Facebook post, demanding the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) question Tanzim and the player apologize.

Journalist Mejbaul Haque added Monday (September 18): "The status of such a distorted form of misogyny is unacceptable. No matter how big a star he is!"

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) said it was investigating the issue. "The issue came to our attention. We are looking into the matter," its cricket operations chief Jalal Yunus told AFP.

Tanzim, who made his senior international debut last week, has played 12 first-class matches in his short senior career, after helping Bangladesh win the Under-19 World Cup in 2020.

(With inputs from AFP)