Uncertainty over players’ payment cast a dark shadow over the new edition of Dhaka Premier League set to begin on Friday with three matches in three venues.
Players of different clubs alleged they are yet to receive any payment and expressed their concern that they may have to take the field without being paid a penny.While reinstating controversial players’ draft, which denied the players a right of bargaining, the Bangladesh Cricket Board had promised to introduce some regulations in order to bring some professionalism in the matter.
They included a formal contract between the club and players and a bank draft of certain amount which will give the players some kind of guarantee of payment at least.
With the league set to start in little over 48 hours, no club is yet to provide any contract or a bank draft, confirmed the officials of the Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis.
The CCDM issued a reminder to the clubs during a co-ordination meeting on Tuesday, but officials said they are unlikely to get any positive response, at least before the start of the league.
The players are scheduled to receive 30 per cent of their payment before the start of the league and 30 per cent before the end of the first phase. The clubs must pay the rest of the money within six weeks of the completion of the league.
Citing the examples of the Bangladesh Premier League Twenty20 tournament, several players on condition of anonymity said they are really anxious about their payment.
The BCB provided all kinds of guarantee for the BPL money and also took bank draft but sources within the Board confirmed at least two franchises are yet to complete the payment despite six months have elapsed since the tournament.
Players said club officials are even more powerful than BPL franchise owners and can easily dictate the terms.
The players said if there was no players’ by choice system clubs had to pay them in advance to secure their service, which is not the case now.
When asked BCB chief executive Nizamuddin Chowdhury assured that the board will try to take care of the player if any dispute arises regarding the payment.
‘We will stand behind the players,’ Nizamuddin told reporters on Tuesday. ‘The players’ contract should be in place,’ he said.
The players however seemed little convinced.
‘When the BCB cannot do anything to ensure players’ BPL payment in six months how it can compel the Dhaka clubs to do so,’ asked a senior cricketer.
‘In BPL’s case they have at least a bank guarantee. I don’t see any such provision for Dhaka League. Even if it is there, I have reasons to doubt whether the clubs will follow the rules.’
-With New Age input
