Mumbai, Dec 15 (NationPress) Bangladesh is on the verge of becoming the newest nation to classify match-fixing as a criminal offense. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) Integrity Unit is collaborating with the government to establish a legal framework to combat this issue, as reported on Monday.

Mahin M. Rahman, the legal counsel for the BCB Integrity Unit, stated that efforts are underway to criminalize match-fixing after the governing council of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) barred nine cricketers from this year's auction. This decision was made based on a detailed 900-page report provided by a three-member investigation committee, according to the report.

The BPL Governing Council excluded nine players from the auction due to their flagged activities during the previous edition of the BPL, following a match-fixing scandal that had previously shaken the tournament.

In an exclusive conversation with Telecom Asia Sport (www.telecomasia.net), Mahin expressed their intention to engage with relevant authorities to establish a legal framework that would categorize match-fixing as a criminal act.

“Several countries, including Sri Lanka, have already made it a crime, specifically targeting cricket. We aim to develop a law that clearly defines the consequences for anyone involved in fixing or corrupt practices across all sports,” Mahin remarked to www.telecomasia.net.

“A specific law addressing these concerns will be created, separate from the current penal code, similar to the existing Gambling Act. This could be enacted through an ordinance or other legal means,” he elaborated.

“Such a law would provide a structured system. Currently, efforts are fragmented, with the Anti-Corruption Code on one hand and complaints being processed under the Gambling Act on the other, leading to confusion. We aim to consolidate everything under one comprehensive law,” he added.

Mahin noted that discussions with the government would commence after Bangladesh's next general election, scheduled for February 12, 2026.

“An ordinance could be issued, or if Parliament reconvenes in February, they might amend an existing law to include relevant clauses,” said Mahin, who leads the BCB legal team.

“We have long been advocating for the criminalization of gambling-related offenses. I have personally pursued this, as I have a public-interest writ pending. The court has directed the government to develop a comprehensive approach,” he concluded.