Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hasan assured the players that he will take steps to start the Dhaka Premier League after dozens of cricketers staged a sit-in protest at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Saturday.
The BCB president had an hour-long meeting with the representatives of the cricketers before giving them a verbal assurance of taking immediate steps to resolve the crisis which began with some clubs showing reluctance to play without the national players.
The sit-in protest coincided with the visit of seven International Cricket Council delegates, who are currently in Bangladesh to inspect the proposed venues of the ICC World Twenty20.
Interestingly, one of the BCB directors – Naimur Rahman – led the sit-in protest in the capacity as the president of the Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh.
‘Clubs which were initially reluctant to participate in the DPL seemed to have changed their mind. We are confident the league will start soon,’ said Naimur.
Naimur urged the players to lower their pay demand as this is in hindsight one of the major reasons for the clubs to show their reluctance.
It has been alleged that some players demanded exorbitant wages knowing they are the best available options for the clubs in the absence of national players.
‘If there is no cricket it would be a huge loss for all, so the players should also realise what amount of money they should demand,’ said Naimur.
Jalal Yunus, chairman of the cricket committee of Dhaka Metropolis, said they are now thinking to start the league in May with a reserve day as there is always a chance that the matches could be interrupted by rain during the period.
Jalal, also a BCB member, assured the protesting players not to worry about their Bangladesh Premier League payment, another issue for which they raised their voices during the protest.
‘The players should not worry as their payment will be cleared by the BCB. We are going to take legal action against the franchises that cannot fulfil their commitments,’ he said.
-With New Age input
