As the Chattogram phase of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) approaches, players of Durbar Rajshahi have boycotted practice sessions due to unpaid salaries.
Both local and international players have expressed their dissatisfaction, highlighting ongoing financial issues within the franchise.
The team was scheduled to practice at 10:00 AM on Wednesday at the MA Aziz Stadium in Chattogram. However, the session was abruptly canceled, with a press release citing "player rest" as the reason.
Insiders have revealed that unpaid salaries were the real cause of the disruption. Players were reportedly issued checks covering 25% of their dues, but these bounced, causing further frustration. Coaches have also received only partial payments, amounting to 25% of their contracts.
BPL regulations mandate that players receive 25% of their payments before the tournament begins, but several franchises, including Durbar Rajshahi, have failed to comply. Additionally, not all teams have fulfilled the financial guarantee requirements set by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).
BCB President Faruque Ahmed had previously assured that the payment issues would be resolved soon, stating that the board was actively addressing the matter. Despite these assurances, the delay in payments has left players disheartened.
Speaking anonymously, a Rajshahi player shared that the team had initially shown patience based on the BCB president’s commitment. However, with the issue still unresolved, players are now uncertain about their financial security as the tournament continues.
The situation underscores the financial challenges facing the BPL and its franchises, raising questions about the management and oversight of the league's operations.
