Bangladesh's inaugural National Cricket League (NCL) Second XI competition has come under scrutiny after allegations emerged that players used Vaseline to alter the condition of the ball. A Dhaka Division official accused Khulna Division players of using the substance to help generate reverse swing.
The tournament featured teams from Bangladesh's domestic divisions, with its final taking place at the National Cricket Ground in Purbachal from November 11 to 13. Dhaka Division Second XI and Khulna Division Second XI met in the final, with the former eventually claiming the inaugural title.
Ball-Tampering Allegations Emerge in Bangladesh's Domestic Tournament
According to Cricbuzz, a Dhaka official claimed players concealed unflavoured Vaseline between their fingers and transferred it to the ball while handling it. The substance could change the ball's movement and make it difficult for umpires to identify those responsible.
"Yes yes. The players do it (use Vaseline to tamper the ball)," an official told Cricbuzz, requesting anonymity. "They use the Vaseline in between their fingers so it becomes virtually impossible to trace who did it."
"This (using Vaseline) makes the ball heavier and the ball does not move through the air like it should, which makes the ball reverse. That helps the ball to skid as well as reverse."
"This is really hard to trace. Maybe you have to put a camera on everyone. The Khulna team was doing it a lot as they were putting the Vaseline in their hairs and then rubbing it on the ball while they were also using it in their hands and whenever they grab the ball it gets on the ball.
"We told the umpire several times but it is impossible to trace. They use the Vaseline without any flavour so there's no smell of any kind," he added.
BCB Umpires Committee Yet to Receive Formal Complaint Over Allegations
The claims have also raised questions about the response from match officials. Several individuals associated with the NCL alleged that teams had raised concerns verbally during the competition but that umpires failed to act on them.
They also suggested that the alleged use of Vaseline was becoming increasingly common in Bangladesh's domestic cricket. However, Cricbuzz reported that the Bangladesh Cricket Board's (BCB) umpires committee has not received a formal complaint about the alleged ball-tampering.
There has consequently been no confirmed investigation or disciplinary action against any player or team. The BCB has also not publicly confirmed any review of the matter. Meanwhile, concerns remain that the alleged practice could extend to the senior National Cricket League.
Dhaka Division Beat Khulna by an Innings and 35 Runs to Win Title
The allegations emerged after Dhaka Division Second XI completed a convincing victory in the three-day final. Khulna were dismissed for 137 in their first innings, with Siam Hossain Dipu top-scoring with 59 off 114 deliveries.
Kayes Rahman Labib remained unbeaten on 36, while Easin Hossain led the Dhaka attack with five wickets for 47 runs. Maruf Mridha also picked up two wickets for 10 runs.
Dhaka built a substantial first-innings lead by declaring at 324/8. Ahrar Amin Pean anchored their innings with 159, while Khulna's Rabbiul Islam Robi finished with five wickets for 121 runs.
Khulna needed a much stronger effort in their second innings but managed only 152. Jawad Royen offered resistance with 76, but Dhaka's bowlers kept control of the contest. Easin claimed another three wickets for 47 runs, while Ahrar Amin took 3/25 and Siam Hossain returned figures of 3/19.
Also read: Towhid Hridoy breaks Bangladesh's all-time individual Test scoring record
