NEW DELHI: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced charges against a group of individuals—including players, team personnel, franchise owners and other participants—over alleged breaches of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code. The action is connected to the 12th edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).
Key takeaways
- The BCB said the charges stem from investigations conducted by the Bangladesh Cricket Board Integrity Unit (BCBIU).
- Allegations include corrupt conduct, betting-related activity, and attempts to hinder or obstruct anti-corruption inquiries connected to the BPL.
- Md Lablur Rahman and Md Towhidul Haque Towhid were charged under provisions relating to non-cooperation and obstruction/delay.
- Domestic cricketer Amit Mojumder and team manager Rezwan Kabir Siddique were charged for alleged betting connected to cricket matches.
- All charged individuals were provisionally suspended, and they have 14 days to respond after receiving the notices.
- Saminur Rahman received an Exclusion Order under the BCB’s Excluded Person Policy following a separate investigation.
BCB charges linked to BPL 12th edition probe
In its statement, the BCB said the cases were opened after the BCBIU examined allegations of corruption tied to the Bangladesh Premier League T20, focusing on matters such as alleged corrupt behaviour, betting activities, and a lack of cooperation during anti-corruption investigations. The board also referred to claims that some parties attempted to interfere with inquiries related to the BPL.
The BCB further outlined that the investigations covered alleged betting-linked conduct, approaches described as corrupt, and failures to follow Demand Notices issued under Article 4.3 of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code. It also cited allegations involving the hiding, removal, or deletion of relevant messages, alongside failures to cooperate with the Designated Anti-Corruption Official (DACO).
The BCB said all charged participants have been placed under provisional suspension. It added that each person will have a period of 14 days to submit a response once they receive the respective notices. The board also indicated that it would not provide additional comments on the matter at this stage.
Who has been charged and under which code provisions
The BCB stated that Md Lablur Rahman, who works as a team manager, has been charged under Article 2.4.6 for allegedly failing or refusing to cooperate with an investigation and for not complying with a demand notice issued under the anti-corruption framework. It added that he has also been charged under Article 2.4.7 for allegations of obstructing or delaying an inquiry, including claims related to concealing, deleting, or destroying relevant information and communications.
In addition, the board said Md Towhidul Haque Towhid, a franchise co-owner, faces the same two charges—under Articles 2.4.6 and 2.4.7—relating to non-cooperation and obstruction or delay.
Separate from those cases, the BCB said domestic cricketer Amit Mojumder and team manager Rezwan Kabir Siddique have been charged under Article 2.2.1. This provision relates to the act of placing or entering bets connected to cricket matches.
Exclusion Order issued to Saminur Rahman
Alongside the charge announcements, the BCB also issued an Exclusion Order against Saminur Rahman under its Excluded Person Policy. The decision followed an investigation into alleged corrupt activity connected to several BPL seasons, including the ninth, 10th and 11th editions.
The board said the probe identified alleged betting-related activity, alleged corrupt approaches to players and agents, communications involving people linked to domestic and international betting and corruption networks, and alleged involvement in helping corrupt conduct in relation to cricket matches.
The BCB added that after a Notice of Intended Exclusion Order was served, Rahman waived the right to submit a response under the Excluded Person Policy and accepted the Exclusion Order.
