The majority of the franchises in the third edition of the Bangladesh Premier League Twenty20 has ensured regular payment of the local and foreign cricketers. Irregularities with regards to the payment in the domestic T20 competition have been a huge drawback in the past but this time around, the Bangladesh Cricket Board has left no stones unturned in their bid to make sure that both the locals and foreigners are paid in time.
The players’ payment schedule in BPL 3 was supposed to be paid in three instalments - the first 50 percent before the start of the tournament, another 25 percent by today and the remaining 25 percent by January 15 next year.
And keeping all the payment rules and regulations in mind, most of the franchises’ efforts must be praised.
On top are Chittagong Vikings who have paid up hundred percent payment of their officials and players despite a poor season. They had the option of paying the last instalment next month but the franchise did not want to delay matters. Before the port city outfit left their hotel in Dhaka yesterday, all the members were paid accordingly.
Dhaka Dynamites have paid 50 percent wages till yesterday and are expected to meet the deadline for the second payment today.
Comilla Victorians and Rangpur Riders till yesterday cleared 75 percent of the payment. Comilla skipper Mashrafe bin Mortaza following their win over Sylhet Super Stars yesterday praised his franchise.
“All the players of our team have received 75 percent payment. [Today] was the deadline but our franchise did not wait for that. As far as our overseas cricketers are concerned, I was told that they have got 100 percent wages. We do not have any issues with payment at the moment,” Mashrafe said.
Sylhet however, have attracted the attention for all the wrong reasons. According to team sources, the franchise violated the first payment schedule, paying their players only 25 percent instead of 50.
The situation took a turn for the worst when Sylhet captain and icon cricketer Mushfiqur Rahim’s cheque got bounced. But just when the relationship between Mushfiq and the franchise started to sour, the owners seemingly realised their mistake and paid the Tigers Test captain his first 50 percent payment.
Sylhet makeshift skipper Shahid Afridi informed the media yesterday that not everything is rosy at the Super Stars camp and urged the BCB to look into the issue.
“At the moment some of the players mentioned they didn’t get paid yet. The BCB this time took responsibility and I must give credit to the BPL and the board. They organised this tournament well, and I personally enjoyed it. If they sort out the problems with the players, money-wise, hopefully each and every player will come from anywhere and enjoy BPL,” said the Pakistan hard-hitting batsman.