A total of five individuals, including one cricketer, have been charged over match-fixing, irregularities and corruption during the 12th edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).
In a press release on Thursday, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) said it has suspended players, team officials and franchise representatives involved in the 2025–26 BPL season after finding breaches of multiple provisions of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Anti-Corruption Code.
According to the investigation report of the BCB Integrity Unit, led by Independent Chairman Alex Marshall, The individuals charged in the case include Lablur Rahman (Logistics Manager, Chattogram Royals) and Towhidul Haque Towhid (Co-owner, Noakhali Express), both accused of refusing or failing to cooperate with investigations and allegedly obstructing the process, including concealing or destroying evidence.
Amit Majumdar (first-class cricketer) has been charged with involvement in betting activities related to cricket matches, while Rezwan Kabir Siddique (Team Manager, Sylhet Strikers) is also accused of participating in betting on match outcomes and other aspects of the game.
All four have been suspended from all cricket-related activities. They have been given 14 days to respond to the allegations. However, according to sources within the BCB Integrity Unit, the alleged individuals are likely to face disciplinary sanctions with varying lengths in the coming weeks.
In its statement, the BCB said, “The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has brought charges against several players, team officials, franchise owners and participants for violating various provisions of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code. These charges have been filed following an investigation by the BCB Integrity Unit related to the 12th edition of the Bangladesh Premier League. The investigation found allegations including attempts at corruption, involvement in betting or gambling, failure to cooperate with the investigation, and obstructing the investigation process.”
Along with them, the BCB Integrity Unit also found evidence against Saminur Rahman, who has been handed a lifetime ban. He initially served as CEO of Chattogram Royals in the most recent BPL before the team was taken over by the BCB due to its inability to bear operational expenses.
The allegations against him are not limited to the latest season, with accusations of betting and match-fixing also linked to the ninth, tenth and eleventh editions of the tournament.
Following that, Alex Marshall said in a statement, “Today marks an important milestone in the work to protect cricket in Bangladesh.”
He further added, “These are the first cases to reach a conclusion since the BCB Integrity Unit was formed in November 2025. The unit is currently investigating a number of other cases, and further charges are likely in the coming weeks and months. The team continues to investigate matters arising from the Independent Inquiry Commission report.”
Earlier, on Thursday, BCB ad hoc committee chief Tamim Iqbal said in a press conference that held in Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, “You will get a decision regarding the five individuals regarding irregularities in the last BPL shortly. Apart from that, everyone is available until further notice. except those five individuals.”
Although back in November 2025, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) formed a three-member inquiry committee for the 11th edition of the BPL over alleged involvement in fixing, betting and breaches of regulations, the investigation has yet to reach a final conclusion.
The committee, led by former Appellate Division Justice Mirza Hussain Haider, along with lawyer Dr. Khaled H Chowdhury and former cricketer Shakil Qasem, submitted a 900-page report based on interviews with 80 players and team officials who participated in the 11th BPL.
Following the report, the Integrity Unit marked 20 individuals as “red-flagged,” including nine local and one foreign cricketer, along with coaches, franchise officials and team personnel.
As a result, several players identified as suspicious were not included in the 12th BPL auction. They include Durbar Rajshahi’s Enamul Haque, Shafiul Islam, Sanjamul Islam and Mizanur Rahman, Dhaka Capitals’ Mosaddek Hossain and Alauddin Babu, and Sylhet Strikers’ Ariful Haque and Nihiduzzaman.
According to BCB sources, the report also initially flagged Rajshahi’s Sohag Gazi and Sri Lankan cricketer Thisara Perera, who played for Dhaka Capitals. However, after clearance in a separate investigation led by Alex Marshall, both were included in the final auction list.
Asked about the status of these players, BCB president Tamim said, “Since the investigation is ongoing, those players, coaches, franchise owners and team officials under suspicion will remain outside any restrictions until further notice.”
Tamim has also reportedly pushed the Integrity Unit to expedite the long-running investigation and publish findings as soon as possible, provided there is sufficient evidence.
