The Bangladesh Premier League now faces intensified examination following the preliminary outcomes of an internal investigation that expose systemic manipulation of results in the league’s latest season.
The inquiry implicates both competitive actors and governing agents, with proactive links registered against two currently contracted national representatives along with varying levels of responsibility traced among domestic and overseas personnel.
According to an advance analysis disclosed to Prothom Alo by the league’s disciplinary board, the inquiry has registered at least thirty-six individual performance quirks that occurred in 2025 season. The concluded championship, clinched by Fortune Barishal in February by three wickets, is now among several fixtures being scrutinised with the aim of isolating the influence of optic constraints.
Monitored irregularities centre on abrupt team collapses, the pattern of misplaced bowling changes, and deliberate marginal overs left by fast bowlers that disproportionately steer the strategic outcome of match-lines. Committee member Khaled H. Chowdhury stated that the board has opted to disclose preliminary conclusions at the present juncture to establish an advance precedent for the coming season’s operations, with an implied reappraisal of future auction and franchise-acquisition mechanics.
Preliminary indictments have accrued to a cohort of marginally ten to twelve players, among whom a recognised fast bowler and an active left-arm off-spinner trusted with national representation have received particular attention. A compact cluster, presently estimated at three to four operatives, has transited to the “elevated suspicion” threshold, where the board considers that, as of now, the evidential threshold has been met. Notably, one identified individual performed in a preceding Sri Lankan series.
The investigation’s scope widened beyond suspected external actors, implicating national players whose conspicuous elementary errors invoked suspicion of conscious manipulation.
Incriminating testimony also surfaced from within the management of Durbar Rajshahi, Sylhet Strikers, and Dhaka Capitals. One of the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s own standing-committee members, according to probe documents, facilitated clandestine accords that paired players with respective franchise officials. Subsequent findings prompt the concurrent suspension of all cited executives, pending evidentiary consolidation.
Parallel inquiries traced substantial improper advertising. Local broadcasters, under contract for the ongoing year, transmitted unlicensed gaming commercials, harvesting gross receipts, investigators assessed, in the range of 170 to 180 crore taka.
Further, intelligence services flagged a purported bid — 40 billion taka — presented to a franchise for orchestrated match-fixing in the impending 2023-24 season. The concerned franchise, contrary to mandated guidelines, abstained from notifying the Board’s anti-corruption unit.
