Franchises will make a mistake if they don’t clear player payments before the next deadline expires, Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hasan warned in Chittagong on Friday.
His warning came after several franchises missed the previous deadline, ended on January 31, which caused an outcry in local and international media as players made some open complaints.
The BCB president assured that no player will go unpaid and asked for calm as the process required some time.
‘We have received some payments from some franchises and have already transferred the money to the players’ accounts,’ Nazmul told reporters. ‘Some players did not
receive the money as their franchises did not give us their agreement papers. We need these otherwise we won’t have any basis.
‘The franchises have sought two working days’ time from us and we gave it to them. If they miss the new deadline, they will make a mistake,’ he added.
The players’ payment issue hit the headlines after Dhaka Gladiators’ English cricketer Owais Shah last week alleged that he did not get any money despite several
promises given by the franchise.
The BCB officials on Friday claimed they made Shah’s payment duly but the money returned as he provided a wrong account number. They demanded an apology from Shah for
stoking the controversy and he obliged, said the officials.
The BCB president also criticised Abdur Razzak after he made a public complaint that his Rangpur Riders team-mates are playing virtually for free as they were not paid
a single penny.
‘Players should know that the BCB is guarantor for their money. So they should not make any complaint in this way. It only creates some unnecessary fuss,’ said Nazmul.
The BCB president, who attended his first ICC meeting in Dubai last week, said all other countries praised the BPL for how it was arranged despite so many Pakistani
players pulling out at the eleventh hour.
‘They all praised us for two reasons. First of all, the way we started it and managed to bring so many international cricketers at such a short notice. The response of
the crowd, particularly in Chittagong matches also impressed them,’ he said.
‘Now we should be careful so that we don’t lose this impression with the payment issue,’ said Nazmul.
-With New Age input
