Bangladesh Cricket Board director Rafiqul Islam Babu said the Dhaka Premier League will run without umpiring complaints as the competition resumed after a two-month delay under a new committee.
Babu spoke after the opening ceremony and set out a clear position on long-standing allegations around bias in domestic cricket. “I do not want to bring up what happened in the past. I believe all 12 clubs are our clubs. All 12 belong to the cricket board.”
Domestic cricket in Bangladesh has carried repeated claims of favouritism towards certain clubs. Those claims have centred on umpiring decisions and, at times, changes to playing conditions. The league, the country’s only List A competition, has seen its standard questioned on that basis.
Babu said he wants competitive balance across the table. “I will be happiest when the 11th or 12th team beats the top team. Then we will say we have succeeded. If those clubs play well, Bangladesh cricket will move forward.”
Umpiring drew the most scrutiny in recent seasons, including a high-profile dispute involving Mohammedan last year. Babu addressed that issue directly. “On umpiring, I will say this, I do not know what happened before, but now you will not get any complaints. I can give a 100 per cent guarantee. We want progress in cricket. We will ensure matches are fair, good, and attractive.”
The league faced uncertainty after several Dhaka clubs skipped the 7 October board election and later said they would not play under the previous administration. The National Sports Council dissolved that board. Tamim Iqbal then took charge of the governing body and moved to restart the competition within weeks.
Babu said the delay risked reputational damage. “If this Dhaka Premier League had not taken place, it could have become an embarrassing matter for Bangladesh cricket. We have started, even if a bit late.”
