Sports Desk

Bangladesh Cricket Board president Faruque Ahmed hoped that players will get their money from the franchises in the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League.

According to the rules, the franchises are supposed to pay 50 percent of the players’ money before the tournament starts, 25 percent during the tournament, and the remaining 25 percent at the end of the tournament. All seven teams have already played at least one match, however, the players have reportedly not received anything as yet from the franchises.

“It doesn’t mean the players will not get their payments. We have taken different steps for the franchises. I have spoken directly with the franchise as board president so that they feel that we are partners. They are also spending money for Bangladesh cricket,” Faruque told reporters in Mirpur on Wednesday morning in reply to a question regarding the non-payment issue.

The BCB, boss, however, asked everyone to consider the franchises’ perspective too considering the difficult times.

“We have communicated with the BPL franchise owners since Day 1 and told them that they will have to pay the money,” the BCB boss said. “If you ask me to answer in black and white why this didn’t happen (franchises didn’t pay guarantee money), I won’t be able to provide a clear answer. You have to see the overall situation from everyone’s perspective over the last four months.”

BCB keeps a bank guarantee from franchises, as per rules, so as to ensure that the players get the money from BCB in case the franchises do not pay. This has happened often in the past that BCB paid off the dues of players who were not paid by the franchises. However, with no guarantee money ensured this time, the players’ fate will hang in the balance in case of inability of a franchise to pay.