Cricketers’ Welfare Association of Bangladesh has decided to request the Bangladesh Cricket Board to consult with the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League clubs, and arrange at least 50% payment for the players.
The ongoing season of the Dhaka League, the premier 50-over cricket tournament of the country, got suspended in March this year following rising cases of Covid-19 in Bangladesh with the teams having played the first round.
CWAB held an online meeting Tuesday evening in presence of a few national team cricketers in the shape of ODI captain Tamim Iqbal, wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim and T20I skipper Mahmudullah and first-class cricketers.
Chairman of Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis Kazi Inam Ahmed and BCB CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury were also present during the online meeting.
“I attended a meeting with CWAB [Tuesday] and several national team and first-class cricketers. We spoke about the possible start of the DPL season. At this point we can’t confirm a date but want the DPL clubs to be in regular touch virtually with players to make sure the players can maintain fitness. The clubs should be prepared to start the league when the situation is suitable with a short notice of 15 days,” said Inam to the media Wednesday.
“I suggested Cox’s Bazar or Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishthan as alternate venues, and that all players and club management accommodation can be arranged with strict measures of isolation,” the BCB director added.
Payment issue of Brothers Union Limited and Partex Sporting Club was addressed during the meeting.
“CCDM has already advised the clubs to pay 50% payment before the start of the league, despite the fact that the players’ payments this season are under direct contract with teams. We hope once cricket resumes in the country, we will start the DPL, and this is something even the board president (Nazmul Hasan) has said in several previous conversations,” said Inam.
The meeting unanimously came to the decision that the board will make the final call regarding the resumption of the DPL and national team's practice and tours after monitoring the coronavirus situation.