BCB probes BPL corruption links, suspends five

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Thursday suspended five individuals, including a player, team official, franchise owner and participant, for breaching various provisions of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code for Participants linked to the last edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).

The charges stem from investigations conducted by the BCB Integrity Unit into alleged corrupt conduct, betting activities, failures to cooperate with anti-corruption investigations, and obstruction of investigations.

Those charged are Md Lablur Rahman (team manager of Chattogram Royals), Towhidul Haque Towhid (franchise co-owner), Amit Mojumder (domestic cricketer) and Rezwan Kabir Siddique (team manager).

Lablur and Towhidul have been accused under Article 2.4.6 for allegedly failing or refusing to cooperate with an investigation, including non-compliance with a Demand Notice issued under the Code.

They have also been charged under Article 2.4.7 for allegedly obstructing or delaying an anti-corruption investigation through the concealment, deletion or destruction of relevant communications and information.

Meanwhile, cricketer Amit Mojumder and team manager Rezwan have both been charged under Article 2.2.1, which relates to placing, accepting or entering into bets connected to cricket matches.

“The charged individuals have been provisionally suspended and given 14 days from receipt of the Notices of Charge to respond to the allegations,” the board said in a statement.

“BCB will not make any further comment in respect of these matters at this stage,” it added.

Meanwhile, the board also issued an Exclusion Order against Saminur Rahman under the BCB Excluded Person Policy following an investigation into alleged corrupt activities linked to the ninth, 10th and 11th editions of the BPL.

The investigation reportedly uncovered alleged betting-related activities, corrupt approaches to players and agents, communications with individuals associated with domestic and international betting and corruption networks, and alleged involvement in facilitating corrupt conduct in cricket matches.

BCB stated that after receiving a Notice of Intended Exclusion Order, Saminur waived his right to respond under the policy and accepted the imposition of the order.

Although Amit was provisionally suspended on Thursday, he featured in a Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League match for Rupganj Tigers against Gazi Group on the same day at BKSP-4.