Nazmul Hassan, the President of Bangladesh Cricket Board President on Tuesday said the strike of national players’ strike, which left the upcoming tour of India in trouble, seems to be a “conspiracy”. Hassan’s comments come after the top players including Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim on Monday announced a strike of cricketing activities until their 11-points demands which included a salary hike, are fulfilled.
“We will find who is behind this conspiracy,” said Hassan during a press conference Dhaka.
On the other hand, BCB director Jalal Yunus said the players should have come to the board directly instead of media.
“We had no idea that the cricketers were so angry, disappointed and upset,” Yunus told Bengali daily Samakal. “They could have placed the demands at the board before issuing the ultimatum. However, they went to the media to call off all cricketing activities. This is nothing but blackmailing.”
Another BCB director Mahbubul Anam also agreed with them.
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“They could have followed the process of going through the CEO, cricket operations chairman and board chief, and if their demands weren’t met, then they could have gone for action. I believe something else is behind the cricketers’ call for the strike. It is a conspiracy against BCB,” he said.
However, former Bangladesh captain and BCB cricket operations head Akram Khan backed the players.
“These things always start with a movement. Once you sit with the board, it is no longer a movement. The board is there to serve the cricketers’ purpose. I hope there will be reconciliation between the players and the board. We will try to solve their issues in the board meeting on (Tuesday),” added Khan.
However, the demands included Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) format as the players want it in a franchise model, Dhaka Premier League (their domestic first-class competition) must go back to the open market transfers, their central contract salary should be increased which should include more players, higher first class match fees as well and players association to no longer have conflict of interest too.
