Cricketers are playing in BPL without getting a single penny

Cricketers are playing BPL without getting a single penny

This year's BPL is new. Of course, the reason is new, the 11th BPL has not been held before. It has been the first to the tenth BPL. The title sponsor of the tournament is new, there are two completely new franchises this time. The theme song has also been changed.

Despite being so new, this year's BPL, which is part of the youth festival, is not able to fly the 'new kite'. It cannot be said that the BPL of the changed times that is taking the field today is actually starting free from the old garbage.

Although the field game is starting today, it is difficult to expect that this BPL will ultimately be an example of a disciplined BPL for the future. Because, the controversy that was hanging over the BPL in the previous ten seasons, this time too, the only franchise tournament in the country is starting with that.

The main complaint about the BPL is that the franchises do not pay money properly. Neither to the BCB, nor to the players. This time too, the tournament is starting with the same financial chaos.

According to the rules, franchises are supposed to pay 50 percent of the money owed to each player before the tournament starts.

Today at 1:30 pm, the current champion Fortune Barisal will play the opening match against the new franchise Durbar Rajshahi. However, as of the writing of this report last night, the current champion team has not paid a single rupee to its cricketers. Several cricketers who do not want to reveal the name of the team have confirmed this information.

The cricketers of Durbar Rajshahi, another team in the first match, have also not received any money. A cricketer of the team told Prothom Alo, "The franchise has said that it will pay the money within 2-1 day. Let's see if it does." The same is true for the other five franchises.

However, according to the rules, franchises are supposed to pay 50 percent of the money owed to each player before the tournament starts. Another 25 percent will have to be paid during the tournament. The remaining 25 percent will have to be paid at the end of the tournament.

The bitter experience of what happens if franchises do not pay players' salaries on time is very fresh for Faruk Ahmed's BCB. They have now had to settle the outstanding 'players' payments' of two franchises of the latest 10th BPL organized by Nazmul Hasan's board.

If any franchise leaves players' salaries outstanding, the BCB has a rule to keep a bank guarantee from the BPL franchises so that the BCB does not have to pay it from its own treasury later.

But a BCB source confirmed that out of the seven franchises in this year's BPL, only Fortune Barisal has given a bank guarantee. So, even if the Barisal players do not pay the first phase of the money on time, the BCB is somewhat safe from them. But the matter is risky for other franchises.

A board official in a responsible position in the BPL Governing Council was asked about this yesterday. However, he did not seem to have a clear idea about the matter. "Since I haven't heard anything about it, I think the money has been given in full. Even if there is a little left, there will be some," the official said on the phone.

The opening of this year's BPL was kicked off with Rahat Fateh Ali Khan's 'Music Fest' on December 23. Concerts were also held in Sylhet and Chittagong. The BCB plans to do many more things off the field to give the BPL a new look. But when the rules are being violated repeatedly in the original place, how can we call this BPL a 'new BPL'?

The matter is becoming like old wine in a new bottle!