Mobile courts to curb betting
In an attempt to curb the influx of betting in cricket, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) advocated the idea of using mobile courts during the tri-nation one-day series and the home series against Sri Lanka, starting later this month.
"There are some limitations in the existing law to punish the culprits. In the inter-ministerial meeting at the sports ministry it was decide that directives would be given to the district commissioners of the three districts to introducing mobile courts during the tri-series and the home series against Sri Lanka," BCB CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury told reporters while declaring Rocket, the mobile banking service of Dutch Bangla Bank Limited, as the title sponsors of the series at Mirpur yesterday.
He also said that the District Commissioners of Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet, where the tri-series and the home series against Sri Lanka will take place, will set up mobile courts so that the Anti Corruption Unit (ACU), which acts as a watchdog against any illegal practice in the stands, could hand over the culprits to law enforcement for quick punishment.
Illegal betting in cricket has become a regular feature in Bangladesh and it was overpowering during the Bangladesh Premier League, the glamorous T20 competition that took place in November-December. During the BPL last year, ACU ejected 77 spectators, of which 12 were foreigners, from the venue for their alleged involvement in betting before subsequently handing over to law enforcement.
The tri-series involving Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and hosts Bangladesh will commence at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka from January 15. Bangladesh will play the first of their two-Test series against Sri Lanka in Chittagong. Sylhet will host the second T20I against Sri Lanka on February 18.
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