World Cricketers Association Warns BCB Over BPL Non-Payments

The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) is facing a serious crisis, with non-payment of player wages casting a shadow over the tournament’s reputation. This issue has drawn significant attention from the World Cricketers Association (WCA), particularly from their chief executive, Tom Moffat, who voiced concerns about the long-term credibility of the BPL. The ongoing payment problems, particularly involving the Durbar Rajshahi franchise, have raised alarms, prompting the government to step in and establish a fact-finding committee to address the matter.

A key meeting on February 1 between Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain, Adviser to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and Durbar Rajshahi owner Md Shafiq Rahman, resulted in a stern warning. Asif made it clear that legal action would be pursued if the franchise failed to settle the overdue payments. He also underscored the damage caused to the reputation of Bangladesh cricket due to these issues. The incident has painted a grim picture of the tournament, particularly with one franchise causing such widespread concern.

Najmul Abedin, a member of the BPL governing council, admitted that a mistake was made by allowing the wrong franchise to participate in the tournament. He pointed out that there was insufficient vetting of the franchise’s financial stability and operational experience. This oversight is now seen as a major factor behind the current crisis, as it’s clear that a stronger financial backing and better management should have been considered to prevent such issues.

Tom Moffat’s frustration is palpable, as he warns that BPL could lose access to top-tier international cricketers if these non-payment issues are not resolved. He emphasized that players must have confidence that their contracts will be honored and enforced. “Leagues with ongoing payment issues will continue to lose access to the best players,” he stressed, which could undermine the league’s competitiveness and international standing.

With the BPL final approaching, the future of the tournament remains uncertain. The cricket community is left questioning whether the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) will take the necessary steps to learn from this debacle. As the board prepares to elect a new president and look at forming new franchises, many are hopeful that the lessons from this crisis will lead to a more sustainable and transparent structure for future editions of the BPL.