Last season’s Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) came under scrutiny for a variety of reasons. From unpaid hotel and housing rents by franchise owners to delays in paying players’ wages , several allegations were proven true. However, the biggest issue dominating discussions has been the allegation of spot-fixing, involving three specific franchises and implicating 10 players, including two foreigners. In response, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had formed an independent investigation committee to look into the matter. A portion of their report has recently been leaked, reigniting the controversy.
To safeguard Bangladesh cricket from corruption and fixing, the BCB is set to launch an Integrity Unit. Following the most recent board meeting, it was announced that former ICC Anti-Corruption Unit General Manager Alex Marshall has been appointed for a one-year term. On Tuesday, Marshall joined a programme called “Share and Care” with BCB officials and players, where he discussed how he plans to keep Bangladesh cricket free from corruption. Speaking at a press conference after the session, the former UK police officer, who arrived in Bangladesh on 9 August, stated that his primary goal is to maintain the integrity of the game in the country.
Speaking from the lobby of Hotel InterContinental, Marshall said,
“I’m here to work with the BCB President and board members to protect Bangladesh cricket from all forms of threats. Bangladesh has been at the top of the cricketing world for nearly 25 years. I believe this is the right time to earn the trust of fans and supporters , so they believe what they see on the field is real. Whether it’s men or women, we want every player to be safe from all threats.”
Marshall also faced questions regarding the spot-fixing allegations in the previous BPL season. When asked how such franchise leagues can be protected, he emphasised professionalism:
“If a franchise league lacks professionalism, it appears weak , and that’s exactly when corrupt individuals strike. This has happened in many countries, and BPL is not an exception. Our Integrity Unit will aim to shield the BPL from such threats.”
The Englishman added,
“Wherever there is a franchise league in the world, certain threats emerge that can make the entire tournament appear fragile. We must ensure that the BPL doesn’t seem vulnerable. We’ll examine the financial structure of the tournament, how ownership is granted , everything needs to be handled properly and professionally.”
Explaining the core purpose of the Integrity Unit, Marshall said,
“We will build an Integrity Unit whose main aim will be to educate everyone involved in the game , so they understand the nature of threats and how to stay alert. Corrupt individuals will be driven out. We don’t want them in the country; they’ll have to leave. The Integrity Unit has a clear message , Bangladesh cricket will be clean. Our vision has full support from the BCB President.”
The BCB has appointed Marshall for a year to reinforce its Anti-Corruption Unit. He also shared a broad outline of how the Integrity Unit will function, its processes and structure. According to Marshall, the unit’s framework will be finalised within the next three to four weeks.
He added that the core responsibility of the Integrity Unit will be to ensure players’ safety and to educate everyone involved in cricket on how to deal with potential threats and suspicious approaches.