Bangladesh’s domestic cricket has come under scrutiny following allegations that players used Vaseline to manipulate the ball during the inaugural National Cricket League (NCL) Second XI tournament.
The allegations emerged after Friday’s final at Purbachal, where Dhaka Division Second XI beat Khulna Division Second XI by an innings and 35 runs to win the title. Officials from the Dhaka team claimed that some players had been using Vaseline to change the condition of the ball during the competition.
An official associated with Dhaka Division Second XI, speaking to Cricbuzz on condition of anonymity, alleged that players applied the substance to their fingers to avoid detection.
According to the official, the practice was difficult to identify because the Vaseline could transfer to the ball whenever a player handled it.
The official also claimed that the substance was being used to make the ball heavier, affecting its movement through the air and helping bowlers generate reverse swing and skid.
Khulna Division players were specifically accused of using the substance in different ways, including applying it to their hair before rubbing it onto the ball. The official alleged that some also kept Vaseline on their hands.
The Dhaka official claimed that the matter had been brought to the umpires’ attention several times during the tournament, but identifying those responsible proved difficult. The players allegedly used unscented Vaseline, making it harder to detect.
However, the allegations have not yet resulted in any formal complaint to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). Cricbuzz reported that the board’s umpires committee had not received an official complaint over the alleged use of Vaseline.
Several people familiar with the competition also claimed that umpires had failed to act despite teams raising concerns verbally. The allegations have raised questions about the monitoring of Bangladesh’s domestic competitions and whether the practice is becoming more widespread.
The controversy comes as the country’s traditional first-class National Cricket League is also underway, raising concerns over whether similar allegations could emerge in the premier domestic competition.
