Saif Hasan Shares Personal Experience Amid ACU Controversy

Sometimes, pressure off the field can weigh heavier on a cricketer than the battle on it. In the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), Dhaka Capitals batter Saif Hasan has come forward with such an experience. Amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU), Saif shared his personal ordeal, stating that the intervention affected both his mental state and his performance on the field.
The role of the ACU in the BPL has been under discussion for the past few days. Earlier, Dhaka Capitals held a press conference and raised serious allegations against the ACU, claiming that the unit was operating without following proper rules and procedures. In response, the BCB later issued a statement saying the actions were part of a regular process and that personal conversations had been held with several foreign players. Saif Hasan has now clarified his own position amid the controversy.
Explaining the reasons behind the ACU’s suspicion during the press conference, Saif said that his lack of rhythm in performance brought him under scrutiny. Sharing his experience, he said,“When I didn’t click in the first two or three matches, naturally it seemed to them (the ACU) that my performance didn’t match what it was compared to last year—the way I played last year. So it didn’t seem normal to them. They suddenly came and charged me.”
The right-handed batter also openly admitted that the ACU’s behavior affected him mentally. Expressing his feelings, Saif said,“I didn’t like it either. I was disturbed. Because I don’t play cricket for this. I play cricket for my passion. And my family background is not like that. So I was really disturbed by this whole thing.”
Saif Hasan did not deny that the mental pressure had an impact on his on-field performances as well. Talking about the matches that followed the incident, he said,“Anyone can get a little disturbed. Because in the two or three matches right after that, it’s natural for things to work inside your mind—what am I doing, what am I not doing, what is happening, what are they thinking.”