Bangladesh cricket is in deep trouble after a new case of corruption came to light in Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). The latest controversy has shocked everyone as players, team managers, franchise owners and other officials were accused of betting and fixing activities.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has initiated strict action after investigations revealed alleged suspicious activities during various editions of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). BCB believes that betting and fixing networks may have been operating around the BPL for a long time.
Bangladesh cricket rocked by explosive BPL betting and match-fixing scandal
The Bangladesh Cricket Board confirmed that its Integrity Unit has investigated suspicious activities related to the 12th edition of the Bangladesh Premier League. During the investigation, officials found cases involving bookmaking and potentially corrupt approaches.
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BCB said in a statement as quoted by Cricbuzz: “The allegations arise from an investigation conducted by the Bangladesh Cricket Board Integrity Unit (BCBIU) into alleged corrupt practices, betting activities, failure to cooperate in anti-corruption investigations and obstruction of investigations relating to the Bangladesh Premier League T20 (BPL T20), 12th edition.”
“The investigation pertains to alleged bookmaking-related activities, corrupt practices, failure to comply with demand notices issued under Article 4.3 of the Code, concealment and deletion of relevant communications and failure to cooperate with the Designated Anti-Corruption Officer (DACO),” the statement further said. “Those who have been charged include.”
Chattogram Royals team manager and co-owner are in big trouble in BPL corruption case
One of the prominent names involved is Chattogram Royals team manager, Mohammad Lablur Rahman. Investigators believe he did not fully cooperate with anti-corruption authorities and allegedly tried to delay the investigation by hiding or deleting important communications related to the case.
He faces sanctions under Article 2.4.6, which refers to ‘failing or refusing without reason to cooperate with an investigation conducted by the DACO in respect of potentially corrupt conduct under the Code, including failure to comply with a demand notice issued under Article 4.3 of the Code.’
Additionally, Rahman breached Article 2.4.7, which refers to ‘obstructing or delaying a DACO investigation of potentially corrupt conduct under the Code, including by concealing, deleting or destroying relevant communications and information.’
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Bangladesh Cricket Board announces suspension over alleged betting activities
Franchise co-owner Mohammad Tauhidul Haq Tauhid also violated the rule as team manager. He allegedly failed to cooperate properly during interrogation. Bangladesh’s uncapped cricketer Amit Majumdar and another team manager Rezwan Kabir Siddiqui were accused of betting activities related to BPL matches.
Both Siddiqui and Mojumdar breached Article 2.2.1, which refers to ‘placing, accepting, placing or otherwise entering into bets in relation to the result, progress, conduct or any other aspect of cricket matches’. ‘After the allegations, BCB immediately suspended all the accused.
Now he has been given two weeks to respond to the allegations before further decisions are taken. This controversy has once again caused great damage to the image of BPL and Bangladesh cricket.
Saminur Rahman has been banned by BCB on corruption charges.
On the other hand, Bangladesh Cricket Board has also banned Saminur Rahman from all cricket activities after an investigation found his alleged involvement in corrupt activities related to multiple seasons of Bangladesh Premier League including the 9th, 10th and 11th editions.
The BCB said, “The investigation identified alleged betting-related activities, alleged corrupt practices towards players and agents, communications with individuals associated with domestic and international betting and corruption networks, and alleged involvement in facilitating corrupt conduct in relation to cricket matches. Following service of notice of the intended exclusion order, Mr Rahman waived his right to submit a response under the Excluded Persons Policy and agreed to enforce the exclusion order.”
