The investigation into alleged match-fixing issues within the 2024-25 Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) has concluded after a nine-month examination by a three-member independent inquiry committee. The final 900-page report was handed over to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Tuesday.
Despite the detailed nature of the report, the BCB’s press release on the same day indicated that they would not be commenting on specific allegations or divulging any report details at this stage, prompting concerns about the report’s impact in the long run. Questions were raised about the potential risk of damaging the reputations of players who might not be selected for domestic cricket, even if they were not involved in any fixing activities.
BCB President Aminul Islam Bulbul reassured that the identities of those involved would eventually be disclosed. The initial report received by the BCB earlier had already initiated actions, as mentioned by Bulbul during a media briefing. The comprehensive 900-page report not only aids the BPL investigation but also provides valuable guidelines for future actions.
In response to the inquiry, the BCB has set up an independent integrity unit called the Bangladesh Cricket Board Integrity Unit (BCBIU), with Alex Marshall appointed as the unit’s independent chairman. Bulbul emphasized Marshall’s role in overseeing the integrity unit’s operations.
Regarding the participation of players implicated in the report in the upcoming BPL, Bulbul stated that decisions would be made by the integrity unit. The BCB is currently not involved directly in these matters and cannot provide instructions in that regard.