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Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) franchise Durbar Rajshahi has issued a public apology following protests by its players over unpaid fees. The franchise has committed to clearing 50% of the pending payments by January 16, addressing concerns that led to a temporary suspension of training in Chattogram.
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Protest Over Unpaid Dues
The issue escalated on January 15, when local players boycotted a scheduled training session, citing delayed payments. The franchise had earlier paid 25% of the total fees to its overseas players and coaching staff after their fourth match on January 6 but failed to meet the same commitment for local cricketers.
The situation prompted a response from BCB President Faruque Ahmed, who convened an emergency Zoom meeting with board directors and visited the team hotel to mediate discussions involving franchise officials, captain Anamul Haque, and other players.
Franchise’s Response
Jayed Ahmed, the franchise’s operation in-charge, admitted to the delays and publicly apologized. He clarified that the players’ decision not to practice was unrelated to payment issues, attributing the absence to rest and travel schedules.
“We apologize for the payment delays and will clear 50% of the dues by tomorrow (January 16). This includes 25% in cash and 25% via cheque. We assure that this delay will not happen again,” said Jayed.
BCB Intervention
BCB Director Manjur Alam addressed the media, outlining the governing body’s efforts to resolve the matter. “The BCB president has engaged directly with team owners, the captain, and players. Negotiations have been positive, and the team is expected to resume practice tomorrow,” he stated.
Payment Structure and Governing Council Guidelines
The BPL Governing Council mandates franchises to pay:
- 50% of player fees before the tournament begins,
- 25% during the tournament, and
- The remaining 25% after its conclusion.
However, it was revealed that some local players in the Rajshahi camp had not received their daily allowances regularly, further exacerbating frustrations.
Preparations for Upcoming Matches
Despite the controversy, the team has announced plans to resume training at the M.A. Aziz Stadium in Chattogram at 10 a.m. on January 16. They are gearing up for their next match against Sylhet Strikers, scheduled for January 17.
Moving Forward
Durbar Rajshahi’s handling of the situation will be closely watched, as ensuring timely payments is crucial for maintaining trust with players. The team will aim to shift its focus back to on-field performances as the BPL progresses.
