According to the BCB, no player has been formally investigated and no one has been found guilty to date. The press release added that private discussions have been held with foreign players to verify their contracts and processes.
“As part of standard integrity procedures, several foreign players have been interviewed privately as witnesses to verify recruitment processes, contractual arrangements and payment structures. Such meetings are confidential and preventive in nature, and do not imply that any player is under investigation or has already been found guilty,” the BCB statement as quoted by ESPNcricinfo said.
The statement comes after Dhaka Capitals CEO Atik Fahad accused integrity unit officers of breaking into the hotel room of their batsman Rahmanullah Gurbaz in Sylhet over the weekend. Fahad also suggested that the mental toll of the incident on his players could prompt the franchise to reconsider its participation in future editions of the tournament.
“The anti-corruption unit should have at least considered this before going to such a player, but this kind of behavior with a big player is something he cannot accept, and we cannot accept either. Entering the room of a big foreign player – someone who plays in the ILT20 and elsewhere – and causing problems that way,” Fahad said at a press conference.
“If the management is not mentally satisfied, if my players are not satisfied, what better outcome can we expect? We are running the BPL while losing 2-3 crore every year. Moreover, if we are mentally tortured like this, I don’t know how we can remain competitive or continue to operate a franchise. If this situation continues, we will not have the courage to continue at all. I invest money, absorb losses, bring in CSR funds from different companies and then leave with humiliation. That’s just That is not possible,” said Fahad.
Noakhali Express players and officials were also reportedly questioned, although the franchise stated that they had protested against the behavior of the integrity unit officials. However, the BCB reaffirmed its full confidence in the integrity unit’s procedures, noting that the unit has successfully contributed to reducing suspicious activity in the past.
“Such measures from the BCB IU [integrity unit] are part of BCB’s zero tolerance policy and fight against corrupt cricket activities. The BCB IU operates in accordance with the general processes under the applicable ICC Anti-Corruption Code. Therefore, there has been no violation of the rights of players or franchise personnel by the BCB IU team in any way,” the BCB statement said.
“These preventive measures taken by the BCB IU have resulted in an approximately 80% reduction in the number of alerts regarding suspicious activities. The BCB reiterates its zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and remains committed to protecting the credibility, transparency and reputation of the Bangladesh Premier League,” it added.
Get every cricket update! Follow us:
#BPL #BCB #integrity #unit #finds #credible #suspicion #Dhaka #Capitals #raises #concerns