Chattogram Royals players have now received all their payments from the Bangladesh Cricket Board. The move ends doubts over their salaries after the board took control of the team before the BPL.
On Thursday, several players visited the BCB office in Mirpur to collect their cheques. Among them were Tanvir Islam, Shoriful Islam, and Naim Sheikh. They received the money and met BCB cricket operations chief Nazmul Abedeen Fahim, umpires committee chairman Iftekhar Rahman Mithu, and game development committee chairman Habibul Bashar Sumon.
The franchise had lost its owner just before the tournament. The BCB then stepped in to run the team and ensure the players were paid. The players looked relaxed and happy after collecting their dues.
Naim Sheikh had signed for 11 million taka, the highest salary in BPL history. He was asked if he had feared not getting the money. The question brought laughter from those present.
Naim said, “To be honest, I did not worry about the BPL payment. We discussed the matter with the Cricket Board. They handled it very well. Once the board took responsibility, we had no worries. The players focused only on their performance on the field.”
He also said the payments followed the normal system. “This time, honestly, I received what I was supposed to get, as per the rules. Twenty five percent before playing, another twenty five percent during the tournament. I received it within one to one and a half months. The timing may have shifted a bit, but I received it. I cannot speak about others.”
Chattogram Royals also enjoyed a strong season on the field. Fast bowler Shoriful Islam took 26 wickets and set a record for most wickets in one BPL season. Captain Sheikh Mehedi Hasan contributed with both bat and ball throughout the event.
Still, the team fell short in the final. Chattogram Royals finished runners up after losing to Rajshahi Warriors by 63 runs on January 23.
