Ahead of the twelfth Bangladesh Premier League, the issue of match-fixing has dominated discussions. In a precautionary step, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) excluded nine local players allegedly involved in prior controversies from the auction. Yet, BCB’s vigilance does not end there; the board has announced plans to implement strict anti-corruption measures throughout the tournament.
Each BPL franchise will now be accompanied by two officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to monitor activities closely and prevent any form of match-fixing. BCB Vice-President Sakawat Hossain confirmed that an MoU would formalise this collaboration. Speaking to reporters in Dhaka, he highlighted the significance of the move, emphasising the league’s commitment to integrity.
“This is a new initiative to safeguard the game,” Sakawat said. “While our own integrity team continues to operate, CID officers will be embedded with each franchise – one in uniform, one in plain clothes. Their presence will ensure transparency at every level.”
He elaborated, “CID is the country’s top investigative authority, equipped with modern technology and tools to detect illicit activities. They can even scrutinise private communications if needed. This partnership underlines our determination to maintain clean cricket and demonstrates our complete commitment to fair play.”
The BPL’s twelfth edition is set to commence on 26 December, and this measure is expected to bolster confidence among players, franchises, and fans alike, ensuring that the tournament proceeds without controversy.