Cricketers protest DPL delay

Bangladesh's domestic cricketers will stage a protest at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium today morning, with an aim to compel the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to host the country's lone 50-over domestic tournament—the Dhaka Premier League— as early as possible.
The rare protest, which is supported by the Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) will also address the BPL's payment problems. “There are two key issues. Firstly, we want them to start the Dhaka Premier League as soon as possible and secondly we want them to clear the remaining players' payment of the BPL,” said Deboprotto Paul, member secretary of CWAB.
“It's a peaceful stance. The players are not boycotting anything, they are ready to participate in the Bangladesh Games as well, but these problems need to be addressed,” he added.
The Dhaka Premier League, which was initially scheduled to kick-off in March this year, was indefinitely postponed as per the demand of the participating clubs. As most of the cricketers involved in the competition are heavily dependent on it for their livelihood, the players have decided to take to the field in order to voice their concerns.
“Most of the cricketers depend on the Dhaka Premier League for their survival. We get good money from it. In fact we end up getting more money here than the Bangladesh Premier League itself,” said former national cricketer Alok Kapali. “Many players have not received their money from the BPL, I myself am one of them. And now, there are concerns about whether the Dhaka Premier League will actually take place. So, on the whole, it's been a bad year for the players,” he added.
Former national batsman Tushar Imran echoed Kapali's stance. “Only 15-20 cricketers play in the national team, but more than 200 depend on the Dhaka Premier League and if there's no league then its going to be very difficult. We are worried because the board has not given us a fixed date,” said Imran.
“We will stay at the ground until they listen to our demands and we will do that even if it takes more than a day,” he added.
Representatives of the clubs stated a number of reasons behind the postponement of the league, amongst which the unavailability of the national players was the most highlighted. The last time the 12 clubs met, it was learnt that a group of them wanted the league to take place in September. However, an official date is yet to be announced by the BCB.