On Wednesday, representatives of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) cautioned clubs that if they persisted in their boycott of cricket, they would have to find other options.
BCB vice-president Faruque Ahmed, Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis (CCDM) chairman Adnan Rahman Dipon, BCB director Shanian Taneem, and recently appointed BCB media committee vice-chairman Mokhsedul Kamal Babu attended a joint press conference at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium where the warning was given.
Club cricket in Dhaka saw demonstrations during the recent BCB election, with some club organisers claiming the poll was skewed and manipulated by the government. Up to 45 of the 72 clubs in different levels at one point declared a boycott of all competitions sponsored by CCDM and actively supported the protest movement.
The First Division League had to be postponed several times when organisers were unable to persuade the club officials who were protesting, leaving the domestic calendar uncertain.
According to Faruque, the board is committed to launching the First Division League on December 14 and issued a warning that any club that does not participate would be subject to the bylaws, which permit clubs to be eliminated from the league and relegated to the next division.
“The bylaws are distributed to each team prior to the start of the event. Everything is explained in detail there, including what is applicable and what occurs in what circumstances. Nothing new needs to be reported. “What will happen if a team doesn’t participate in the league is very clearly explained in the playing conditions and the bylaws that are sent to the participating teams,” Faruque told reporters at Mirpur on Wednesday.
He emphasised that lost time cannot be regained after the season window closes and that the BCB has an obligation to continue cricket regardless of administrative problems, adding that any delays will only hurt the sport and its players.
“Tournaments will still be held even if club cricket is not played. It goes without saying that the board will find a method to keep the players on the pitch. The board won’t do nothing. We must revive cricket if the league does not take place; players will be able to play in Victory Day cricket or other formats. However, the clubs’ requests will not be accepted,” he stated.
Additionally, Faruque commended Tamim Iqbal, the former national captain, for his “mature and responsible” handling of the conflict. Instead of jeopardising the futures of players, Tamim, a prominent member of the club organisers who oppose the existing board, has pushed his club, Old DOHS Sports Club, to participate in the forthcoming First Division League.
“In the board’s press statement, we welcomed Tamim. For his commitment to the game, we extend our welcome to him once more,” Faruque stated.
“Tamim also understood that the absence of cricket is very detrimental to both the players and Bangladeshi cricket. Nothing could be more dangerous than that.
Officials from the BCB and CCDM affirmed that the Dhaka First Division Cricket League will begin play on December 14.
Despite the current impasse, the season is officially set to begin with the opening match, which is anticipated to take place at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
“On the eleventh, the First Division League was scheduled to begin. We will begin on the 14th due to some ground issues. We are attempting to hold the first game at Mirpur Stadium, and we will release the schedule today,” Dipon stated.
Additionally, Dipon noted that neither the BCB nor the CCDM have received a formal letter confirming withdrawal, even if a number of clubs have publicly declared a boycott.
“Since we have only heard verbal notifications of the boycott, we will formally retain all 20 teams. Therefore, we are releasing the schedule that includes all 20 clubs,” he stated.
As of Wednesday, eight clubs are still hesitant to participate: Shinepukur Cricket Club, Uttara Cricket Club, Bangladesh Police Cricket Club, Sheikh Jamal Cricketers, Lalmatia Club, Bashundhara Riders, Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club, Old DOHS Sports Club, Dhaka Spartans Cricket Club, Blues Cricketers, Baridhara Dazzles, and BKSP.
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