Match-fixing scandal rocks BPL 2024-25, players and teams under investigation

The match-fixing claims have rocked the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2025 as ten players and four franchises have been suspected during the ongoing season. Currently, the Bangladesh Cricket Board's Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) is investigating eight matches for suspicions related to match-fixing.

It is believed that Durbar Rajshahi, Dhaka Capitals, Sylhet Strikers, and Chittagong Kings are the teams that are being questioned for match-fixing. While the investigation is going on, it will be a huge setback for Bangladesh cricket if these allegations turn out to be true.

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Match-fixing scandal rocks BPL 2024-25

According to a Daily Star report, 6 out of 10 players who are under the ACU's radar belong to the national team. Two of them are overseas players while the other two are uncapped players.

The report also revealed the matches which have been put under the scanner. Those matches are Fortune Barishal vs Durbar Rajshahi (January 6), Rangpur Riders vs Dhaka Capital (January 7), Dhaka Capital vs Sylhet (January 10), Durbar Rajshahi vs Dhaka Capital (January 12), Chittagong Kings vs Sylhet Strikers (January 13), Fortune Barishal vs Khulna Tigers (January 22), Chittagong Kings vs Sylhet Strikers (January 22) and Durbar Rajshahi vs Rangpur Riders (January 23).

In these matches, there have been instances of suspicious selection in the Playing XI, bowlers bowling no-balls and wides deliberately. The batters are also in suspicion for their slow batting approach while chasing big targets.

Concerns over ACU officers' working process

Apart from the match-fixing scandal, there are also concerns over the working of seven designated integrity officers of the ACU working separately for all seven teams. The payments of these officers are being taken care of by the franchises themselves.

A BCB official confirmed about informing the BCB president regarding the functioning of ACU officials and raised questions about their working process. He further claimed that no action has been taken on the matter.

"It was brought to the attention of both (BCB) CEO (Nizamuddin Chowdhury) and (BCB) president (Faruque Ahmed) that when the ACU officials are with the team, how could they work properly if their expenses are taken care of by those franchises. They will definitely be biased," an anonymous BCB official told The Daily Star.

"When I told them about the matter, the president and CEO agreed on the point. But later nothing changed, I don't know. But this is obviously an absurd matter," he concluded.

The report also stated that cricketers each from Chittagong Kings and Durbar Rajshahi were present in the players' dugout despite not being on the team list. The situation has raised further concerns regarding the BPL's integrity.

Earlier instances of match-fixing

It is not the first time that the BPL has been struck with match-fixing allegations. In 2014, former Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful was charged with spot-fixing allegations in BPL 2013.

The BPL 2025 is coming to its business end as only two matches remain to be played this season. The three playoffs will be played on February 3 and 5 while the final of the tournament will be played on February 7.