BPL Controversy: Rajshahi’s Foreign Players Boycott Sparks Serious Concerns for BCB

The ongoing issues surrounding Durbar Rajshahi’s foreign players have escalated once again, creating a serious dilemma for the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). Previously, the franchise had made a temporary resolution by paying a portion of the players' dues, but this time the situation has reached a critical point. Just hours before their match against Rangpur Riders, foreign players of Rajshahi decided to boycott the remaining matches due to unresolved payment issues and a sudden hotel change. As a result, Rajshahi took the field against Rangpur with only local players, a decision that has raised eyebrows across the tournament.

This development has raised serious concerns about the BPL’s image, as such issues could tarnish the reputation of the tournament. The BCB has made it clear that they are fully aware of the situation and are prepared to take stern action against Rajshahi. Ifthekhar Ahmed Mithu, the newly appointed Chairman of the BCB Media Committee, addressed the issue during a conversation with journalists, stating that this situation was entirely unexpected and that the board was actively working on a solution.

Mithu explained, “These incidents are completely unforeseen. We are addressing them as the BCB. We discussed this in yesterday’s board meeting. New problems arise every day, and today’s issue is one that we will resolve as soon as possible.”

He also mentioned that the decision would be tough: "Today, we will make a decision, and it will be a difficult one."

During previous disputes related to payments, the BCB intervened and resolved the issue temporarily. However, Mithu made it clear that Rajshahi would not be given more leniency: “Now, the question is how much leniency do we show? Basically, we are allowing them to play, but if anyone damages the reputation of the players or the BPL, the primary responsibility of the Cricket Board is to protect that."

When asked whether any foreign players had lodged complaints with the BCB regarding today’s incident, Mithu replied, “I am not sure if any foreign players have complained to the board yet. I’ll find out shortly as this happened just in the last 2-3 hours. I’ll check the situation soon.”

Mithu also stressed that the BPL is closely tied to the country’s image and that its successful completion is crucial for the reputation of the board and the nation: “If the tournament doesn’t conclude smoothly, it will not bring honor to the board or the country. We must ensure that the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s reputation is upheld. One problem after another is emerging, and we are trying to resolve them. But everything has its limits. The issue today came up just when we were trying to solve yesterday’s problem. We will sit down and make a decision.”