BPL 2024-25: Durbar Rajshahi's overseas players stranded in team hotel awaiting unsettled dues

Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) is embroiled in controversy over non-payment of dues to Durbar Rajshahi's overseas. Notably, Rajshahi’s have been eliminated after finishing fifth in the tournament.

The franchises has not paid its foreign players and they have been stranded in the team hotel in Dhaka even after their stay has come to an end. The players have reached out to the team owners and they have not responded to their calls and are awaiting for tickets to fly back home. 

The players who are stuck due to their unsettled portion of payments are Mohammad Haris (Pakistan), Aftab Alam (Afghanistan), Mark Deyal (West Indies), Ryan Burl (Zimbabwe) and Miguel Cummins (West Indies). While the franchise has settled 25 per cent for a couple of players, the remaining players have not been paid at all. Furtherore, the players have reportedly not received their daily allowance for the last 11 days. 

"The team owner and management haven't responded to the players' calls for updates as they await tickets for flights back home," an ESPNcricinfo report stated.

Meanwhile, the non-payment of dues has already led to unprecedented chaos in the league as the local players boycotted a practice session in Chattogram last month while the team was forced to field an XI without any overseas players after they decided to sit out for the clash against Rangpur Riders.

Also Read: BPL 2025: Durbar Rajshahi field only local players against Rangpur Riders amid payment dispute

"I think we didn't judge the franchises properly. I think we didn't verify their experience and financial strength. It has now put us in a difficult situation,” said Nazmul Abedeen Fahim, member-secretary of BPL's governing council as quoted by ESPNcricinfo. 

Bangladesh's sports adviser Asif Mahmud added: "I spoke to the Rajshahi owner, who assured us that he will clear the payments. I have told him clearly that if he fails to do so, we will take legal steps. No more discussions. Our fact-finding committee will be looking into how this team came to be."