Bangladesh Premier League franchise Durbar Rajshahi cancelled their scheduled practice session amid reports that the players had yet to receive their unpaid salaries.
Rajshahi, who are currently in sixth place of the seven-team table, reached Chattogram on Monday and were due to have a practice session at the MA Aziz Stadium at 10:00am on Wednesday.
But at 9:48am, a media statement was carried out in their official WhatsApp group saying that they have cancelled their practice session.
鈥楧urbar Rajshahi has cancelled their today鈥檚 practice session at the MA Aziz Stadium in Chattogram,鈥� the statement read.
There was no official reason given for what prompted the sudden move. It only stated, 鈥楾he team has decided to opt for a rest day today.鈥�
Soon there were reports that the players boycotted the practice session due to their unpaid wages.
A source from the franchise seeking anonymity told 抖阴精品 that the foreign players and coaches received 25 per cent of their match fees.
The local players were also given cheques of 25 per cent of their payments. But their cheques had bounced.
鈥楾he owner, who was not in the country, asked the players not to credit the cheque, as far as I know. But one or two players tried it, and their cheques had bounced,鈥� said the source.
It was learnt that BCB president Faruque Ahmed was to meet the players and the team management in Chattogram on Wednesday evening.
Though there were no official statements from either Rajshahi or BCB in this regard while filing this report, a media statement given by Rajshahi said that they would have a practice session at the same time in the same venue today.
According to the rules set by BCB, a franchise must pay 50 per cent of the wages to the players before the start of the tournament. Twenty-five percent of the remaining payments should be met up during the tournament, while the rest should be given after the tournament.
However, most of the teams didn鈥檛 follow that.
Rajshahi players were also questioned on the issue during a press conference after their first match, where captain Anamul Haque said that no players got their payments yet.
But he remained hopeful. 鈥榃e want to take the BPL positively. The owners won鈥檛 go away without paying [us]. Or the BCB will take steps. I hope they will arrange it properly,鈥� said Anamul.
BPL was previously mired in controversy like this when BCB had to step up. In the past, the governing body of Bangladesh cricket had to pay the players as well.
After two phases in Dhaka and Sylhet, the 11th edition of the BPL has now moved to the port city Chattogram, where 12 matches will be played in six days.
Rajshahi are scheduled to play four matches in their Chattogram phase on January 17, 19, 20, and 23, respectively, against Sylhet Strikers, Khulna Tigers, Chittagong Kings, and Rangpur Riders.
Rangpur are currently at the top of the table after winning their first seven matches.
