BCB promises to fulfill cricketers' 16-point demand

Since the change in government, there have been significant changes in the sports arena.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) now has a new president, and a new director has been appointed. In addition, several federation heads have been removed, and all divisional, district, and women's sports organisations in the country have been dissolved to form ad-hoc committees.

Riding this wave of change, local cricketers have also stepped forward with their own set of demands.

On Sunday, cricketers from various districts across Bangladesh gathered at the BCB office at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.

They presented a 16-point demand to the BCB, most of which focus on the development of domestic cricket and the welfare of players. After hearing their concerns, the BCB has assured them that most of their demands will be considered.

One of their key demands includes setting a fixed schedule for domestic cricket. They have also requested the formation of a second-tier team in each division to participate in the National Cricket League. Additionally, they are calling for 90 players across the first, second, and third divisions—30 from each division—to be placed under a salary system.

Other demands include making clubs more professional in contracting players for the Dhaka League, organising T20 leagues alongside the first, second, and third division leagues, and introducing three-day matches in the final stages of the National Championship Cricket.

They also highlighted the need to improve umpiring standards, ensure good-quality pitches, and provide opportunities for one-day and T20 leagues and practice facilities in every district.

The cricketers further demanded that BCB-employed coaches should not be allowed to work at private academies.

They also requested that matches of the Dhaka first division league be broadcast live online, that the Cricketers' Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) be restructured and given the independence to operate freely, that rehabilitation facilities be made available for injured registered cricketers, and that the third-division qualifiers start on time with the lowest entry fee. Additionally, they called for the franchise league player draft to be opened up.

Riazur, a cricketer from the first division league, mentioned, "We've also asked the BCB to increase training facilities. During the BPL, we see six or seven teams practising on the same academy ground. The BCB has the resources to establish five more academies across different locations. If we had more fields available, that would be a blessing."

Addressing irregularities, Riazur Riyad added, "There have been inconsistencies for a long time. If the BCB is optimistic, we hope these issues will be resolved soon."

Asaduzzaman, another cricketer, spoke about the restructuring of CWAB, stating, "We want CWAB to be reformed. Currently, they are out of touch with the players and have never communicated with us about our problems. We, representing 64 districts, all demand that CWAB be restructured."

Nazmul Abedeen Fahim, the BCB's newly appointed director, acknowledged the cricketers' demands as reasonable.

The experienced coach and cricket expert commented, "It's not about what benefits you or me, but what benefits cricket. The BCB will do whatever is necessary to ensure the development of the game."

Emphasising the importance of cricket's development, he added, "Whether it's restarting district-level cricket or ensuring that every district has at least one proper pitch, we must take fair decisions at every step of the process to ensure equal opportunities for all. The BCB will certainly look into these matters, and we will monitor the progress. While it may not be possible to meet all your demands immediately, the BCB is committed to supporting you and ensuring that cricket benefits in the long run."