BPL's Credibility at Risk as WCA Warns BCB Over Non-Payment
Author: Joy Sarcar
Updated At:
The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) has found itself in a serious controversy regarding non-payment issues, with World Cricketers Association (WCA) Chief Executive Tom Moffat warning the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) about the potential long-term consequences. Moffat emphasized that if these financial issues persist, the best international players might avoid participating in future BPL tournaments.
The issue was particularly highlighted by the financial troubles faced by Durbar Rajshahi, which led the government to form a fact-finding committee to investigate BPL payments.
Government Steps In to Address Concerns
In response to the crisis, Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain, Adviser to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, met with Durbar Rajshahi owner Md Shafiq Rahman on February 1 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium. The meeting aimed to resolve the non-payment disputes and ensure that players receive their due wages.
Following the discussion, Asif, along with BCB President Faruque Ahmed and BPL governing council member secretary Najmul Abedin, held a joint press conference. Asif declared that legal action would be taken against franchises failing to meet their financial commitments.
"We have formed a fact-finding committee to determine how financially incapable franchises were allowed to participate. If Rajshahi fails to clear their dues, we will take legal steps," Asif stated.
BPL's Reputation at Stake
Najmul Abedin admitted that the board made errors in selecting the right franchises for the league.
"We did not consider important factors such as financial stability and past experience while awarding franchises. This oversight has resulted in the current crisis," he said.
WCA Chief Expresses Concern Over Future Participation
Speaking to Cricbuzz, WCA CEO Tom Moffat expressed his disappointment over recurring payment issues in BPL, stating that it is diminishing the tournament’s reputation.
"We expect leagues with non-payment issues to lose access to top players. This is not the first time such concerns have emerged in BPL, and it is unacceptable," Moffat said.
He also highlighted the need for global cricket authorities to enforce stricter policies to safeguard players' financial interests. "Governing bodies that sanction these leagues should ensure players receive their rightful payments promptly, as their livelihoods depend on it."
Future of BPL in Question
The current edition of BPL is set to conclude on February 7, with Fortune Barishal facing Chittagong Kings in the final. This marks the end of the three-year cycle for the tournament, and the future of BPL remains uncertain.
With BCB set for a presidential election before the next cycle, it remains to be seen if the new leadership will address these financial shortcomings effectively. Ensuring timely payments to players and selecting financially stable franchises will be key to restoring credibility.
For BPL to maintain its position among competitive T20 leagues, securing a trustworthy and financially responsible franchise model is essential. The involvement of safe betting apps has also played a role in ensuring financial transparency in other global leagues, a lesson that BCB might need to take seriously for the next cycle.
As the cricketing world watches closely, the steps taken in the coming months will determine whether BPL can recover from this crisis or continue to struggle with credibility issues.
READ NEXT
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 - Top Bowlers To Watch Out
In this article, we have collected the list of top bowlers who will be in the spotlight at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
WPL 2025: SWOT Analysis of Gujarat Giants
In this article, we bring you the SWOT analysis of the Gujarat Giants squad for the upcoming WPL 2025 cricket league.