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The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Bangladesh carried out a surprise enforcement operation at the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) headquarters, located at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur. The raid was conducted in response to multiple allegations involving financial irregularities and potential corruption within the board.
A three-member ACC team, led by Assistant Director Al Amin, initiated the operation following complaints concerning several key areas under BCB’s jurisdiction. The team conducted thorough inspections across various departments over an hour and a half before addressing the media.
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Three Allegations Under Investigation
Speaking to reporters, Al Amin confirmed that the ACC is currently probing three separate allegations:
- Irregular Financial Gains in Cricket League Selections:
A formal letter from ACC headquarters cited “allegations of irregular financial gain and other forms of corruption in the selection process of various cricket leagues under the Bangladesh Cricket Board” as the primary reason for the investigation. - BPL Ticket Sale Discrepancies:
The second major focus is the revenue from ticket sales during the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). Al Amin highlighted a significant revenue jump in the most recent edition, raising suspicion. “In the latest BPL edition, Tk13.25 crore was generated from ticket sales—almost equal to the Tk15 crore total from the previous ten editions combined,” Al Amin stated.
He added that while past ticketing operations involved third-party contractors, the recent seasons saw BCB selling tickets directly, possibly explaining the surge. However, the ACC is scrutinizing records to check for revenue manipulation or misreporting. - Embezzlement in Mujib Centenary Celebrations:
The third allegation involves alleged fund misappropriation during the Mujib Centenary celebrations in 2020–21.
ACC Assistant Director Mahmudul Hasan disclosed, “A total of Tk25 crore was shown as expenditure, including concerts, but our findings suggest actual spending was closer to Tk7 crore. This points to a suspected embezzlement of Tk19 crore.”
Additionally, Tk2 crore in ticket revenue during the events was reportedly not documented.
Focus on Third Division League Fees
Another area of investigation involves the Third Division Qualifying League, being held for the first time in almost a decade. The ACC is probing whether the entry fee hike from Tk75,000 to Tk5 lakhs in 2014–15—which led to a sharp decline in participating teams—was deliberately imposed to benefit certain individuals.
This season, the fee has been reduced to Tk1 lakh, and participation rules were relaxed, leading to 60 teams signing up—an unusual spike after years of near dormancy.
“The sudden increase in participation indicates there may have been restrictions or pressure in earlier editions,” Al Amin said. “We’ve collected necessary documents to determine if board members or external influences were involved in the earlier drop-off.”
BCB Responds
BCB Chief Executive Nizam Uddin Chowdhury, who was present during the ACC’s raid, assured that the board is fully cooperating with the investigation.
“We’ve instructed all relevant departments to provide complete documentation. As this is an ongoing investigation, it’s inappropriate to make detailed comments at this time,” he told reporters.
Summary of Key Allegations
| Area of Investigation | Details |
|---|---|
| Cricket League Selections | Alleged corruption in team selection and financial gains |
| BPL Ticket Sales | Tk13.25 crore generated in one season—nearly equals the previous 10 years |
| Mujib Centenary Celebrations | Tk19 crore allegedly embezzled from inflated expenses reports |
| Third Division League Entry Fees | Suspected undue influence behind previous participation drop |
As the ACC delves deeper into its investigation, the findings may have significant implications for the administration of cricket in Bangladesh. The nation awaits clarity on whether these allegations are isolated incidents or signs of deeper structural issues within the BCB.
