Agency :
The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), the country’s only franchise T20 tournament, has once again been marred by controversies surrounding player payments. Over the years, both local and foreign players have faced difficulties in receiving their full salaries, and the issue has resurfaced in the ongoing season. Tamim also suggested reducing the number of teams to five or six to improve the quality of competition.
The most talked-about franchise this season is Durbar Rajshahi, which have been plagued by bounced cheques and unpaid salaries. The situation escalated when foreign players boycotted a match, making headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal, who himself was a victim of such issues in 2013, recalled his experience, stating that the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had intervened to resolve the matter.
Tamim stressed that the BCB must be more selective in awarding franchises to avoid such financial disputes.
“I have noticed that the 2012 issue keeps coming up, but it actually happened in 2013. The board intervened and made a payment to me, though it was less than the agreed amount. However, the matter was resolved. I want BPL to grow and gain more recognition. At one point, we were progressing rapidly. That’s why it is crucial to be careful when selecting franchises. At the end of the day, if a team cannot pay its players, it becomes a serious issue,” Tamim said.
He further added, “In the past, players were left with 50% of their payments pending, and in the end, they had to settle for just 25% after negotiations. This was not the players’ fault. They performed well throughout the tournament. The responsibility lies with the franchises and the BCB. Why should players have to bargain for their rightful payments?’
