The cricketers of BPL franchise Durbar Rajshahi had skipped a practice session after their dues were not paid on time. The franchise has now promised to pay them.
Wait, the players skipped practice?
Durbar Rajshahi cancelled their training session in Chattogram on January 13 in the aftermath of a protest from their Bangladeshi players. According to an ESPNcricinfo report, some of these cricketers (under the condition of anonymity) confirmed skipped stance after franchise owner Shafique Rahman “shifted the payment date several times”.
The cricketers told the team management about their protest on the morning of the practice session. The franchise, in turn, told the media that “the team decided to opt for a rest day today”. According to subsequent reports, Rajshahi’s local players had to spend the last two weeks without payment, though the overseas players and coaching staff were paid 25 per cent of their total fees after their fourth match, against Fortune Barishal on January 6.
The cheques of some of local players of Rajshahi had bounced last Thursday (January 9), leading to the players threatening to pull out of their January 10 game against Khulna Tigers. Shafique assured them that they would be paid on Tuesday (January 14). However, that is yet to happen.
Rajshahi have also been irregular with the daily allowance payments. The players have had to bear their own costs from January 5 to 11.
“We haven't been paid our wages. None of us have,” Anamul had said after Rajshahi’s season opener, against Barishal. “The BPL has just started so we don't want to raise a negative image of the tournament. Everyone around the world is keeping an eye on BPL.”
How did the authorities react?
BCB president Faruque Ahmed spoke to the board directors, then held discussions with Shafique; captain Anamul Haque; and some other players. That evening, board director Manjur Alam spoke “on behalf of the BCB president” to the media.
“Negotiations are in process, hopefully we can come to a solution tomorrow,” said Manjur. “The president spoke directly to the team owners, captain and players. We have a positive vibe from all parties. They will attend practice tomorrow, which is the most positive part of the negotiation.”
What do the rules say?
As per the schedule set by the BPL governing council, the franchises have to pay all players 50 per cent of their total fees before the start of the tournament; 25 per cent during the tournament; and the rest after the tournament.
The franchises were also expected to provide the BCB a bank guarantee of BDT 8 crore (about US$ 650,000). However, after their request, the sum was reduced to BDT 3 crore (about US$ 250,000). However, Barishal are the only team to have paid this bank guarantee.
Since they skipped the practice session as a matter of protest, some Rajshahi cricketers have said they will not play the next game, against Sylhet Strikers on January 17 – unless every local player is paid 50 per cent of their amounts.
All is well – at least for now
A subsequent ESPNcricinfo report mentioned that the Rajshahi franchise has promised to pay their local players a day after the practice boycott. The cricketers will feature in their next game, on January 17.
On Wednesday, Jayed Ahmed, franchise operations in-charge, told that they had assured Faruque about the same.
Some cricketers’ cheques had bounced because, as per Jayed, “the bank couldn't clear the payment without confirming with Shafique on the phone“. Shafique had been tending to his injured wife at that point.
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