Betting, corruption allegations rock Bangladesh Premier League, BCB suspends multiple individuals

NEW DELHI: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Thursday said several players, team officials, franchise owners and other participants have been charged for allegedly violating different provisions of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code during the 12th edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).

In a statement, the BCB said the charges came after investigations carried out by the Bangladesh Cricket Board Integrity Unit (BCBIU). The probe looked into alleged corrupt conduct, betting activities, lack of cooperation in anti-corruption investigations and attempts to obstruct investigations linked to the BPL.

“The charges arise out of investigations conducted by the Bangladesh Cricket Board Integrity Unit (BCBIU) in relation to alleged corrupt conduct, betting activities, failures to cooperate with anti-corruption investigations, and obstruction of investigations connected to the Bangladesh Premier League T20 (BPL T20), 12th Edition,” the BCB said in a statement, as quoted by Cricbuzz.

“The investigations related to alleged betting-related activities, corrupt approaches, failures to comply with Demand Notices issued under Article 4.3 of the Code, concealment and deletion of relevant communications, and failures to cooperate with the Designated Anti-Corruption Official (DACO). Those charged include,” it added.

The BCB said Md Lablur Rahman, a team manager, has been charged under Article 2.4.6 for allegedly failing or refusing to cooperate with an investigation and not complying with a demand notice issued under the anti-corruption code. He has also been charged under Article 2.4.7 for allegedly obstructing or delaying an investigation, including concealment, deletion or destruction of relevant information and communications.

Md Towhidul Haque Towhid, a franchise co-owner, faces the same two charges under Articles 2.4.6 and 2.4.7.

The BCB also charged domestic cricketer Amit Mojumder and team manager Rezwan Kabir Siddique under Article 2.2.1, which relates to placing or entering bets connected to cricket matches.

The board said all charged participants have been provisionally suspended and have 14 days to respond to the allegations after receiving the notices. The BCB added that it will not make any further comments on the issue at this stage.

Separately, the BCB also issued an Exclusion Order against Saminur Rahman under its Excluded Person Policy after an investigation into alleged corrupt activities linked to multiple editions of the BPL, including the ninth, 10th and 11th seasons.

“The investigation identified alleged betting-related activities, alleged corrupt approaches to players and agents, communications with individuals associated with domestic and international betting and corruption networks, and alleged involvement in facilitating corrupt conduct in relation to cricket matches,” the BCB said.

“Following service of a Notice of Intended Exclusion Order, Mr. Rahman waived his right to submit a response under the Excluded Person Policy and accepted the imposition of the Exclusion Order,” it added.