Nearly a dozen Pakistan players set to compete in this year’s Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) will undergo an anti-corruption briefing before joining their respective franchises, sources told Telelcom Asia Sport (www.telecomasia.net).
According to insiders, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has directed its anti-corruption unit to guide players on recognising and properly reporting any suspicious approaches during the tournament.
Players must immediately report any approach to the League authorities and their franchise.
Pakistan Contingent Set for BPL 2024
Rising batter Khawaja Nafay and spinner Sufiyan Muqeem will represent the Rangpur Riders in the upcoming edition, scheduled to begin on December 26.
Other Pakistan players and their teams include:
• Sahibzada Farhan, Mohammad Nawaz, Jahandad Khan – Rajshahi Warriors
• Ihsanullah Khan, Haider Ali – Noakhali Express (new franchise)
• Usman Khan – Dhaka Capitals
• Abrar Ahmed – Chittagong Royals
BCB’s Recent Actions Raise Alarms
A PCB source said, “We have realized the importance of protecting our players from the pitfalls, especially after the Bangladesh Board’s decision to keep some players away from the League on suspicions.” The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), following advice from its anti-corruption chief Alex Marshall, recently barred several unnamed players from entering the BPL auction.
These players were removed from the BPL auction based on an observation in the inquiry report. No charges were made, and no formal allegations were announced by the BCB or the inquiry committee.
A Tournament Haunted by Its Past
The BPL has struggled to shake off its troubled history. The 2013 season was marred by a major fixing scandal in which the Dhaka Gladiators owner was banned for life and several players, including former national captain Mohammad Ashraful, were suspended. The fallout forced the cancellation of the 2014 edition, and the league has been under scrutiny ever since, with issues ranging from integrity concerns to inconsistent player payments.
Payment Troubles Still a Red Flag
Financial disputes also remain a challenge in the BPL. Pakistan’s wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris reportedly faced payment issues last year, a key reason why he opted not to sign with any BPL team this season.
