BCB bans three including former director in BPL fixing scandal

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has temporarily banned three persons on charges of violating the anti-fixing and anti-corruption code in the 2026 Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). A former director of BCB is also among the accused.

Charges have been brought against the three on the basis of the investigation by BCB’s Integrity Unit. They are BCB’s former director and former chairman of the Audit Committee Muhammad Mukhlesur Rahman Shamim, former security liaison officer Zakir Hossain and former member-secretary of the Audit Committee Rakibul Islam Sani. All three face charges of violating the ICC’s 2024 anti-corruption code.

According to the BCB notice, the charges include getting involved in or planning fixing with the intention of influencing the result of a match or various aspects of the game, inducing someone into corrupt activities, not informing the concerned official after receiving such a proposal, and concealing evidence of corruption or important information. There are also charges of not cooperating with the investigation and creating obstacles or causing delay in the investigation process.

Charges have been brought against Shamim of attempting to unethically influence the result, progress or conduct of the match or matches of the 2026 BPL and of being associated with fixing. There are also charges against him of not informing the anti-corruption official in due time of any proposal or information related to fixing and of deleting or concealing the related information. He had resigned from the BCB Board of Directors during the ongoing BPL after the charges were raised.

Charges against Zakir Hossain include being involved in the planning and attempt of fixing to influence the result of a match or various aspects of the game. At the same time, charges have also been brought of encouraging others in corrupt activities and not cooperating with the investigation of the anti-corruption official nominated by the ICC. On the other hand, charges against Rakibul Islam Sani include not informing the concerned official of the detailed information of the proposal or invitation of corruption and failing to cooperate with the investigation.

BCB has informed that the three have been temporarily banned as the disciplinary process under the anti-corruption code is ongoing. Each of them has been given 14 days to submit their statements after receiving the notice of charges. However, these will be considered as charges only until the charges are proven.