Investigation confirms match-fixing probe in recently concluded Bangladesh Premier League

A recent probe has confirmed that several teams and players were involved in match-fixing during the last edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). The revelations have sparked major concerns regarding the integrity of the competition and the effectiveness of its governance. According to reports, the investigation found multiple irregularities, with suspicious incidents linked to both domestic and international players. This has cast a shadow on the credibility of one of Bangladesh’s premier cricket tournaments, which has been a key platform for local and overseas talent.

The report published by Prothom Alo highlighted that the BPL’s investigation committee identified 36 unusual events in the previous season. These included questionable batting collapses, suspicious bowling tactics, and deliberate wides delivered at crucial moments. Among the flagged players were 10–12 cricketers, including two current Bangladesh internationals, a pacer and an off-spinner. Some domestic players were also found guilty of manipulating match outcomes by deliberately bowling poor deliveries to aid betting-related corruption.

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The inquiry classified players based on the weight of evidence gathered against them. Three to four cricketers were placed in the “highly flagged” category, with strong evidence directly linking them to corrupt practices. Others were labelled “medium” or “low flagged,” where suspicion existed but proof was insufficient for direct charges. Worryingly, one of the accused was part of Bangladesh’s recent tour of Sri Lanka, raising concerns about the possible infiltration of corruption into the national team setup.

Allegations extend beyond players

Interestingly, the probe revealed that most of the implicated cricketers are over the age of 35, reducing the chances of their return to international cricket. However, their careers now face a heavy cloud of suspicion. Shockingly, the list of accused also included a Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) sub-committee member, who allegedly helped facilitate fixing deals with franchises. Team officials from Durbar Rajshahi, Sylhet Strikers, and Dhaka Capitals were also found admitting their roles in manipulating matches, further tainting the tournament’s reputation.

The committee is expected to recommend barring all accused players, officials, and managers from participating in cricket until they can clear their names. The investigation also exposed irregularities involving broadcasting partners, as certain TV channels were found to have aired betting-related advertisements. These broadcasters allegedly earned 170–180 crore taka illegally through such promotions. The findings have triggered widespread debate in Bangladesh cricket circles, highlighting the urgent need for stricter regulations and stronger administrative measures to rebuild trust in the BPL.