Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) franchise, Durbar Rajshahi has become the focal point of controversy around the cricket world. It is due to them not paying fees to its players for their participation in the ongoing season of the BPL.
The situation has reached a tipping point, where some foreign players are stranded in Dhaka due to non-clearance of dues by the franchise. Earlier, they were promised to have their return tickets booked to their respective countries. However, the players have not received any response regarding their payment and tickets.
Notably, the likes of Mohammad Haris (Pakistan), Aftab Alam (Afghanistan), Mark Deyal (West Indies), Ryan Burl (Zimbabwe) and Miguel Cummins (West Indies) are still waiting for some portion of their remunerations.
“While the team owners promised that they would clear the payment, several local cricketers of Durbar Rajshahi camp checked out from the hotel room without getting their due payment,” the Cricbuzz report read.
Surprisingly, the franchise has not even cleared the payment of the bus driver, which has resulted in them locking the kit bags and other essential items of the players.
“It’s a matter of regret and shame. If they had paid us, we would have given back the kit bag to the players. Till now, I have not opened my mouth but now I am saying that we can leave if they clear our payment,” Mohammad Babul, bus driver of Rajshahi, told reporters in front of the team hotel.
“The kit bags of local and foreign cricketers are there in the bus but I cannot give them as large portion of our remuneration is yet not paid,” he added.
Coming on to their performances, Durbar Rajshahi failed to reach the playoffs of BPL 2024, winning only six out of 12 games. Veteran Bangladesh stars Anamul Haque (392 runs) and Taskin Ahmed (25 wickets) were the top performers for the side.
Bangladesh Cricket Board forms independent body to enquire on BPL 2024 corruption allegations
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced the formation of the independent inquiry body to support its Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) for investigating the BPL 2024 corruption allegations.
According to reports, eight matches have come under suspicion of spot-fixing and match-fixing based on anonymous tips and media reports. Further, 10 players and four franchises have come under ACU’s scrutiny. Out of 10 players, six have represented Bangladesh, two are uncapped and two are foreigners.
“As part of its ongoing efforts, the BCB is in the process of establishing an Independent Inquiry Body to further support the ACU in its investigations,” a BCB press release said. “The BCB remains dedicated to ensuring a fair and transparent cricketing environment, and will continue to take all necessary actions to safeguard the integrity of the sport in Bangladesh.”
In an interaction with Cricbuzz, BCB President Faruque Ahmed stated that strict action would be taken against the players found to be guilty.
