Why Did BCB Exclude Eight Players from the Draft?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- BCB's Integrity Unit raised concerns over players' conduct.
- Eight players were excluded from the BPL draft.
- Decision aims to prevent future controversies.
- Former captain Tamim Iqbal will not participate in the upcoming season.
- Independent inquiry committee identified players involved in fixing allegations.
New Delhi, Nov 29 (NationPress) The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has made the decision to exclude a minimum of eight domestic cricketers from the finalized players’ draft for the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). This action follows concerns raised by its integrity unit regarding the players' conduct during the last edition of the tournament.
This decision was taken after a thorough internal probe into alleged match-fixing incidents. A senior official from the BPL governing council confirmed that the board is committed to ensuring that anyone under suspicion will not participate in the upcoming season’s draft, aiming to prevent a recurrence of previous scandals.
The revised draft list, shared with BPL franchises on Sunday and reviewed by this publication, indicates that the names of these players, previously listed in the preliminary draft, have now been omitted. This action is based on findings from the BCB’s integrity unit, overseen by Alex Marshall.
Among those excluded are notable Bangladesh internationals including Anamul Haque Bijoy, Mosaddek Hossain, Shofiul Islam, Alauddin Babu, Sunzamul Islam, Mizanur Rahman, Nihaduzzaman, and Munir Hasan Khan.
“Their omission is in accordance with the integrity unit's report, as they were flagged for red flags, and we cannot provide further details on this matter,” a board official informed Cricbuzz.
This shake-up follows the submission of a comprehensive 900-page report by an independent three-member inquiry committee, which was established after widespread allegations of fixing emerged during the previous BPL season. The committee reportedly identified 18 to 19 individuals, including eight to ten players, suspected of varying degrees of involvement.
As the BCB strives to restore faith in the league's integrity, the governing council seems determined to communicate a strong message: those under suspicion will not be included in the forthcoming BPL.
Former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal had earlier announced his decision not to take part in the upcoming BPL, marking the first instance since the tournament's inception in 2012 that he will be absent.