The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is preparing to take firm action against Dhaka Capitals after the franchise failed to clear outstanding payments owed to players following the most recent Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) season.
BPL Governing Council member secretary Iftekhar Rahman Mithu confirmed that the franchise still owes more than BDT 3 crore to cricketers, despite repeated reminders, official notices, and multiple rounds of correspondence. The delay has triggered growing concern among players, several of whom have voiced frustration over unpaid salaries and match fees.
Mithu stated that while most franchises have settled their financial obligations in accordance with contractual terms, Dhaka Capitals remain the only side yet to fully comply. He stressed that the BCB’s foremost responsibility is to ensure player payments are protected, rather than relying solely on assurances from franchise management.
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Standard payment structure not followed
Under BPL regulations, franchise payments are required to follow a three-stage system:
25 per cent before the tournament, 50 per cent during the competition, and the remaining 25 per cent within 45 days of completion. Officials confirmed that while most teams adhered to this structure, Dhaka Capitals repeatedly failed to meet the required deadlines.
Payment status overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Total estimated player dues | Over BDT 4 crore |
| Amount already paid | Around BDT 50–60 lakh (partial payments) |
| Outstanding balance | More than BDT 3 crore |
| Bank guarantee held by BCB | BDT 5 crore |
| Cheque security held | BDT 5 crore |
| Payment deadline | Exceeded by over 60 days |
Mithun revealed that the BCB had issued several formal notices, including a final 15-day ultimatum on 27 February, instructing the franchise to submit full accounts and settle all outstanding payments. Although Dhaka Capitals initially assured that dues would be cleared before Eid, the commitment was not fulfilled.
Enforcement options under review
The Governing Council has now warned that alternative enforcement measures will be activated if immediate payment is not made. These include encashing bank guarantees and cheques submitted as financial security against franchise obligations.
Mithun noted that the board is not concerned about the validity of the guarantees, which remain active until mid-May and beyond in staggered terms. However, he emphasised that administrative patience has been exhausted, with more than 60 days already passing beyond the stipulated payment window.
“We have reached a stage where further delay is no longer acceptable,” he said, adding that a final decision is expected within the week.
Player claims and delayed disclosure
Officials also disclosed that the full extent of the arrears only became clear after players submitted individual payment statements. It was subsequently confirmed that at one stage nearly 75 per cent of total dues remained unpaid, amounting to close to BDT 4 crore.
Although partial disbursements of around BDT 50–60 lakh were made earlier, authorities deemed them insufficient to significantly reduce the overall liability.
Decision expected shortly
The BCB Governing Council is expected to convene early next week to determine the next course of action. Insiders suggest that stricter administrative measures are now highly likely should Dhaka Capitals fail to respond within the newly set informal deadline.
While officials reiterated that player payments will be fully secured through existing financial guarantees, they also underlined that franchise compliance is essential to maintaining the credibility, discipline, and financial integrity of the Bangladesh Premier League.