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The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) has been rocked by a major controversy as Durbar Rajshahi’s overseas players refused to take the field in their recent match against Rangpur Riders due to non-payment of dues. The unprecedented move has not only embarrassed the franchise but also raised serious questions about the management of player payments in one of Bangladesh’s most prestigious cricket leagues.
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Overseas Players Take a Stand
In a bold and unprecedented move, Durbar Rajshahi’s foreign players boycotted the match against Rangpur Riders, protesting the franchise’s failure to clear their dues. As a result, the team was forced to field an all-Bangladeshi playing XI, violating BPL’s rule that mandates the inclusion of at least two overseas players in the lineup.
During the toss, Rajshahi’s captain, Taskin Ahmed, addressed the situation, stating, “We have a few changes. Four or five. Because no foreigners today. All the local players are playing today.” The absence of international stars significantly weakened the team, both in terms of experience and firepower.
Franchise Seeks Special Approval
According to BPL regulations, teams must report such issues to the technical committee before making any changes to their lineup. Durbar Rajshahi followed protocol and sought special approval to field an all-local team. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) released a statement confirming the situation:
“The Durbar Rajshahi team… has applied to the BPL Technical Committee for special approval to field a team consisting solely of Bangladeshi players for today’s match against Rangpur Riders due to the non-availability of overseas players.”
Despite the approval, the incident has cast a shadow over the league’s credibility and raised concerns about the financial management of franchises.
Players Paid Only 25% of Dues
Reports from ESPNcricinfo reveal that Durbar Rajshahi’s overseas players have received only 25% of their total payment, a clear violation of BPL rules. The league mandates that franchises must pay at least 75% of the total dues to players during the tournament.
The overseas players, including Ryan Burl, Mohammad Haris, Mark Deyal, Miguel Cummins, Aftab Alam, and Lahiru Samarakoon, had previously expressed their dissatisfaction by skipping training sessions in Chattogram a couple of weeks ago. However, the franchise failed to address their concerns, leading to the drastic step of boycotting the match.
A Blow to BPL’s Reputation
The boycott has not only affected Durbar Rajshahi’s campaign but also tarnished the image of the BPL. The league, which has grown in stature over the years, relies heavily on the participation of international stars to attract fans and maintain its competitive edge. Incidents like these could deter overseas players from participating in future editions, potentially harming the league’s global appeal.
What’s Next for Durbar Rajshahi?
With the tournament still underway, Durbar Rajshahi faces an uphill battle to regain the trust of its players and fans. The franchise must act swiftly to clear the dues and ensure such incidents do not recur. Meanwhile, the BCB is expected to investigate the matter and take appropriate action to prevent similar controversies in the future.
