Limited number of tickets released by the Bangladesh Cricket Board for the grand finale of the Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League Twenty20 2022 made to the black market and in some cases got sold for more than three times the value.
For the first time since Covid-19 pandemic, BCB decided to let spectators into the stadium allowing 4,000 for the Eliminator matches of the tournament.
Later the governing body of cricket of the country decided to allow 10,000 spectators for the final between Comilla Victorians and Fortune Barishal at Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium Friday.
Of the 10,000 tickets, a percentage was given out as complimentary to different stakeholders of the game in the country, while a large share was bought by the two franchises playing the tournament decider.
Most tickets found on sale outside the SBNCS by the black marketeers ranged from Tk150 to 300 but got sold for high prices among the cricket enthusiasts.
The demand for tickets was high given that the occasion was first that a big number of crowd has been allowed into the stadium amid the pandemic.
“I am a big fan of cricket and come to stadium regularly to watch the game. However, entry has been restricted since Covid happened. Considering that tickets are now available I did not want to miss the chance to watch the BPL final. But the tickets are being sold at a very high price in black. I am still looking for a price to match,” said a Mirpur dweller who works at a private firm.
BCB media committee chairman Tanvir Ahmed Titu informed that they are aware of the issue but board has no control of it as the tickets are not being sold by the board.
“I have also heard of tickets being sold in black. However, it is not our liability as the board is not selling tickets directly. We will plan accordingly the next time there is a similar situation,” said Tanvir to an online portal Friday.
Following the BPL, Bangladesh cricket team will host Afghanistan in a three-match ODI series in Chittagong's Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, followed by two-T20I series in Dhaka.
The BCB is considering allowing a limited number of crowd in the venues for the matches.
