On the eve of the Bangladesh Premier League season in Sylhet, Rajshahi Warriors captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has praised his franchise for paying players on time and said financial clarity allows cricketers to focus fully on performance.
With the BPL set to begin on 26 December, teams across the competition have stepped up their preparations both on and off the field. Rajshahi were among the first franchises to start training and have also complied early with league regulations by paying players 25 per cent of their auction contracts.
Shanto described the development as an encouraging sign for the league. “It is very positive that franchises are making the payments. This is how it should be,” he told reporters. “If this happens the same way every year, it would be very good. It feels good to see that players have received their payments properly so far.”
Under BPL rules, players are paid in three instalments, with the first quarter due at the time of contract signing, half before the team’s final league match, and the remaining 25 per cent within 30 days of the tournament ending. Rajshahi have already paid the initial instalment to senior players including Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim and Tanzid Hasan Tamim.
The Rajshahi captain said his own franchise had set a standard for others to follow. “Rajshahi paid very early and the owners and management were very clear that players should not worry about payment issues,” he said. “That is a positive thing. I hope every team pays their players properly like this.”
Rajshahi will face Sylhet Titans in the opening match of the tournament at the Sylhet International Stadium, with Shanto expecting a challenging start against the hosts. “As a player, it is exciting to play against the home crowd,” he said. “Everyone in our team is ready to take on that challenge.”
The tournament also represents an important opportunity for Shanto, who is aiming to return to the Bangladesh T20 set-up. “My focus is on performing regularly and contributing to the team in every way, not just with the bat,” he said. “There is a World Cup coming up. If I can do well here, it will be a good opportunity. My job is to perform. The selectors will decide the rest.”
