ABDULLAH AL MEHDI

The Bangladesh Premier League’s (BPL’s) chronic non-payment issue has re-emerged after the end of the 12th edition with its governing council already having sent a letter to all franchises to clear all outstanding dues.

The letter was sent on January 27, instructing all teams to complete payments by the next 15 days, an official informed.

Unlike the previous season, players’ non-payment issue did not come under the spotlight during the 12th edition, which came to a close on January 23.

It was overshadowed by other issues like the uncertainty over Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup campaign, a players’ boycott which held up the league for over a day, and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) having to take over Chattogram Royals after its owners left the franchise a day before the tournament began.

However, a week after the tournament’s conclusion, some players are expressing frustrations over not being paid.

One Noakhali Express player informed on Thursday that the franchise has paid players 25 percent of the total dues till now. “You can ask the other players too. Our cheques bounced on January 20, and it happened to all the players,” he informed The Daily Star, requesting anonymity.

The information was corroborated by other players. “BCB asked us about the payments and we are expecting the payments will be made soon,” said the Noakhali player, who is owed over Tk 10 lakh from the franchise.

Dhaka Capitals players had confirmed a week ago that they received 25 percent of their payments during the tournament and a small amount was disbursed to the players’ accounts afterwards. The franchise had said last week that they would clear all dues during the ongoing week.

Champions Rajshahi Warriors claim to have cleared all payments, which was confirmed by the board and some players. There appears to be no issues with Rangpur Riders’ payments, one Sylhet Titans player said fifty percent of his payment was made, and Chattogram players will be paid by the board.

BPL member secretary Iftekhar Rahman Mithu accepted that some franchises are behind on their payment but hinted that in the case of non-payment, the board would utilise the bank guarantees and franchise fee to clear all dues.

“Altogether, Noakhali have around Tk 1.45 crore in outstanding payments. We have Tk 2 crore [as franchise fee] from them. Dhaka have provided us with a Tk 5 crore bank guarantee. Cheques have bounced but we have the funds for their payments with us,” he said.

“We issued a letter on the 27th that in 15 days from then, the franchises will have to complete all payment and give us a list which would include the names of all team management, foreign and local players. We will scrutinise the list by calling each and every one,” he added.