The cricket fraternity of the country is eagerly waiting to see whether the long overdue Dhaka Premier League gets underway as per new schedule at a time when election politics is at its peak in the Bangladesh Cricket Board. The question was raised as the newly introduced players’ transfer, scheduled for August 25, is drawing nearer with the national selectors updating the list excluding cricketers charged by the ICC for match-fixing.
But whether the clubs agree to participate in the so-called ‘players by choice’ transfer is a million-dollar question as several club officials, requesting not to be named, said they are waiting to see the outcome of the meeting of Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis on August 23.
The meeting is supposed to inform the clubs about the new transfer system, but the clubs said they were also keen to discuss about a grant that was proposed and agreed by the BCB president Nazmul Hasan earlier.
Nazmul reportedly promised the clubs to provide each them a cash grant of no less than Tk 40 lakh, something the clubs received in the previous season, albeit for releasing their players to participate in the Bangladesh Premier League.
Nazmul, the ad hoc committee president, who often boasts about his support among the Dhaka-based clubs, is in two minds over the grants which appeared to be a double-edged sword for him.
But club officials said they are unlikely to give up the demand as the uncertainty over the league has already made them financially sufferer. Some clubs paid the players advance money well ahead of the scheduled transfers only to know that they cannot pick the player of their choice because of the changed format.
Gazi Tank Cricketers are the worst victim having paid players like Sakib al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal and some other players more than Tk 1 crore. In the CCDM meeting Gazi may come up with a demand for compensation.
There could be another demand over the participation of foreign players and coaching with some clubs arguing that they also should be picked under the same system that is designed for the local players.
The burning issue, however, could be the grant as it can give the controversial
district and divisional sports organisers’ forum a legitimate issue ahead of the election.
Forum secretary Ashiqur Rahman said they are eagerly waiting to see the outcome of the meeting.
‘We are observing the situation very minutely. If we come to know that money is given to the clubs we will have to take a decision,’ he said.
‘He [the BCB president] often claims he has support from most of the clubs. Now if he provides them with illegal grant to retain his support we will not accept it and raise our voice,’ he said.
-With New Age input
