A BPL-style payment system in Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League left the players scared about the prospect of getting full amount. Though the situation like BPL did not arise eventually, as many as five clubs are yet to abide by the rules of what the board introduced about the payment method. The Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis (CCDM) had recently sent a letter to the clubs to know about the current condition of the payment but yet to get any response.
“We sent letters to all clubs to let us know about the status of the payment. Hopefully they will reply,” CCDM’s member secretary Raqib Haider Pavel said.
The players were supposed to get the 40 percent before the league begins, 30 percent after the fifth round of the league and the rest of the 30 percent within one month of the completion of the league. It meant the clubs at the moment are supposed to pay the 70 percent of the payment.
League champions Gazi Tank Cricketers, Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club, Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club, Mohammedan Sporting Club and Prime Bank Cricket Club are the five teams who disbursed 70 percent payment among the players. Abahani Limited though however paid almost 80 percent among the players but in cases of highly paid players, they paid 60 percent.
But Kalabagan Krira Chakra (KKC), Kalabagan Cricket Academy (KCA), Victoria Sporting Club, Brothers Union and Khelaghar Samaj Kallayan Samity are yet to pay the 70 percent.
Cricketers were divided into seven categories in this league when the BCB introduced ‘Players by Choice’ system replacing the traditional Inter-Club Players’ Transfer. The league faced disruption as many as six times and there was widespread apprehension that it would not be held in this year. The intervention of BCB president Nazmul Hassan Papon saved the league from being postponed and the players showed a good gesture by participating despite not pleased over the new payment and transfer system.
Players like Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal and others feared for being hassled to get the full amount under the new system but when in some cases it became true, others remained satisfied.
“We got the full payment with a match to go,” said Prime Doleshwar captain Farhad Reza. His teammate Rony Talukder endorsed the fact, “In some matches we got extra bonus also.”
Sheikh Jamal’s Elias Sunny said they had got almost full payment, “80 percent of the payment is cleared. The rest of amount was given by cheque.”
League champion Gazi Tank Cricketers players echoed the same sentiment over the payment of the club. They also got the incentive after clinching the title for the first time.
Shamsur Rahman Shuvo of Mohammedan said they got 70 percent as promised while Mahmudul Hasan Limon of Prime Bank also claimed to get same amount.
Abahani cricket manager Mamun said they would clear the full payment within a week.
“60 percent of the payment of highly paid players was paid at the moment while 80 percent was paid in the case of lowly paid players.”
Both Kalabagan Cricket Academy (KCA) and Kalabagan Krira Chakra (KKC) gave just 40 percent instead of 70 percent till now. Marshall Ayub of KCA and Mithun Ali of KKC confirmed the fact.
Nasir Hossain of Victoria said he got the 40 percent till now, “I don’t know about other players but till now I got 40 percent. They vowed to clear the payment as early as possible.”
Brothers Union also cleared just 40 percent but Khelaghar coach cum official Ruhul Amin could not confirm anything clearly.
”Some players get 60 percent and some full 100 percent. But most of the players got 40 percent till date.”
Acting CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury Sujon said there was not system of punishment in cases of not abiding by the BCB rules.
“They (clubs) are the part of cricket but we’ll take step so that the players get their full amount. The players need not to be worried.”
-With The Independent input
