New Delhi: The Bangladesh Sports Ministry had to intervene after furore and drama over non-payment issues in the Durbar Rajshahi franchise in the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2025. The drama intensified in BPL 2025 after it came to light that several overseas players of the franchise were stuck in their team hotel in Dhaka due to non-clearance of dues.
While some players had received no payment at all for the season, others received only a portion. The players also reportedly complained that the driver of their team bus held their kit bags over non-payment of his dues. They also claimed that the owner and the team management were not reachable. The entire saga has left BPL and the Bangladesh Cricket Board red-faced.
The Bangladesh Sports Ministry on Monday stated that Shafiqur Rahman, the owner of Durbar Rajshahi has promised that he would be clearing the dues of all the players and the staff of the team by February 10. Rahman had earlier claimed that he would clear the dues by February 10 but failed to do so and the deadline was missed.
Asif Mahmud, the advisor to the Bangladesh government on matters of sports and youth affairs, said he has spoken to Rajshahi owner Rahman and warned him of consequences if the dues were not cleared by the stipulated deadline. Mahmud revealed Rahman has vowed to clear the dues in three instalments till February 10. He has also been warned of legal action if the next deadline is missed.
“He (Rahman) accepted his fault and promised to clear all dues of the team in three instalments of 25 percent each on February 3, 7 and 10,” Mahmud said in a press release by the Bangladesh sports ministry.
“He also assured that alongside the players, everyone involved with the team would also receive their payments in each instalment. Otherwise, whatever necessary legal actions will be taken against him,” he added.
Overseas players boycotted a match over non-payment issues
Durbar Rajshahi have been struggling with financial problems from the start of the ongoing season. It all started after the local players in the franchise alleged they didn’t receive any payments from the owners ahead of the start of the tournament. The players usually receive 25% of their payment before the start of the season.
However, this season they were not paid anything. The local players recently boycotted a training session before a league match in Chattogram while the overseas players refused to take part in a match last month. The players eventually made themselves available but the franchise failed to qualify for the playoffs of BPL 2025 owing to a poor net run rate.
The Bangladesh Sports Ministry has said that Durbar Rajshahi owner has assured that he will clear the dues of all the players and staff of the franchise in three installments till February 10. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
