Durbar Rajshahi's foreign players boycotted match over unpaid wages confirms Taskin

Durbar Rajshahi faced a major setback in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) on Sunday as their foreign players refused to play against Rangpur Riders due to unpaid wages.

Despite team management reportedly attempting to resolve the issue by taking payments directly to the players, they refused to even open their doors.

This was confirmed by team captain Taskin Ahmed during a post-match press conference following Rajshahi's thrilling 2-run victory.

Taskin revealed, "The manager knocked on their doors with the money, but they didn't open. They likely thought it was just a request. I spoke to them, and they told me, 'Look, we won't play unless we are paid.' I respected their decision as a fellow cricketer, but there wasn't much I could do."

The unpaid wages controversy had already caused tension within the squad. Earlier in the tournament's Chattogram leg, Rajshahi's players had boycotted practice for a day and threatened to skip matches. Ahead of the game against Rangpur, even the local players were reluctant to play. Ultimately, the team management managed to convince them by issuing cheques for their payments.

The absence of foreign players posed a significant challenge as BPL regulations require at least two overseas players in the playing XI. With no other options, Rajshahi appealed to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) for special permission to field an all-local team. The BCB granted the request, allowing the match to proceed.

The drama unfolded when Rajshahi's team bus arrived at Mirpur Stadium around 4:50 PM, notably without any foreign players. Throughout the day, the management had tried to persuade foreign players Mohammad Haris, Ryan Burl, and Miguel Cummins to participate, but they remained firm in their decision not to play without receiving their overdue payments. By 6:00 PM, the BCB officially permitted Rajshahi to field a local-only XI for the match.

Despite the controversy, Durbar Rajshahi managed to secure a dramatic 2-run victory over Rangpur Riders. However, the wage-related unrest highlights a recurring issue in the BPL, where discussions about player payments often overshadow the on-field action. This latest episode has further emphasised the need for improved financial management and accountability within the tournament.

The incident has sparked fresh debates about the treatment of players in the BPL and the tournament's organisational structure. As the competition progresses, the long-term effects of this controversy on team morale and player trust remain to be seen.