The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is preparing to take decisive administrative action against Dhaka Capitals after the franchise failed to clear significant outstanding payments owed to players following the most recent Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) season.
BPL Governing Council member secretary Iftekhar Rahman Mithu confirmed that the franchise still owes more than BDT 3 crore to cricketers, despite repeated reminders, formal notices, and sustained correspondence from the board. The delay has caused growing unease among players, several of whom have publicly expressed frustration over unpaid salaries and match fees.
Mithu noted that while most franchises have fulfilled their contractual obligations within the stipulated timeline, Dhaka Capitals remain the only side yet to settle their dues in full. He emphasised that the BCB’s primary responsibility is to safeguard player payments rather than depend solely on assurances from franchise management.
Payment structure breached
Under BPL regulations, franchise payments must follow a three-phase schedule:
25 per cent before the tournament, 50 per cent during the competition, and the remaining 25 per cent within 45 days of completion. Officials confirmed that although most teams complied with this framework, Dhaka Capitals repeatedly failed to meet the required deadlines.
Financial position overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Total estimated player dues | Over BDT 4 crore |
| Amount already paid | Around BDT 50–60 lakh (partial disbursement) |
| Outstanding balance | More than BDT 3 crore |
| Bank guarantee held by BCB | BDT 5 crore |
| Cheque security held | BDT 5 crore |
| Payment delay | Exceeded 60 days beyond deadline |
Mithun revealed that the BCB had issued multiple formal warnings, including a final 15-day ultimatum on 27 February, requiring the franchise to submit full financial records and settle all outstanding payments. Although Dhaka Capitals initially assured that dues would be cleared before Eid, that commitment was ultimately not honoured.
Enforcement measures being considered
The Governing Council has now warned that alternative enforcement actions will be initiated if payments are not made immediately. These measures include encashing the bank guarantees and cheques submitted as financial security against franchise obligations.
Mithun clarified that the board has no concerns regarding the validity of the guarantees, which remain active until mid-May and beyond in staggered phases. However, he stressed that administrative patience has now been exhausted, as more than 60 days have passed beyond the stipulated payment deadline.
“We have reached a stage where further delay is no longer acceptable,” he stated, adding that a final decision is expected within the week.
Player disclosures reveal scale of arrears
Officials further disclosed that the full extent of the unpaid dues only became apparent after players individually submitted their payment records. It was later confirmed that at one stage nearly 75 per cent of total dues remained unsettled, amounting to close to BDT 4 crore.
Although partial payments of around BDT 50–60 lakh were made earlier, authorities said these were insufficient to meaningfully reduce the overall liabilities.
Decision expected next week
The BCB Governing Council is expected to meet early next week to finalise its course of action. Insiders suggest that stronger enforcement measures are now highly likely if Dhaka Capitals fail to respond within the newly set informal deadline.
While officials reiterated that player payments will be fully protected through existing financial securities, they also underlined that strict franchise compliance remains essential for preserving the credibility, discipline, and financial stability of the Bangladesh Premier League.