Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

Bangladesh cricketers end strike, India tour to go on as planned

Last updated on: October 24, 2019 11:06 IST

As well as hefty pay increases, players in the cricket-mad Asian country demanded a return to a franchise-based model in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) and the resignation of the present committee of the country's Cricketers Welfare Association.

 Image used for representational purposes

IMAGE: Image used for representational purposes. Photograph: ICC/Twitter

Bangladesh's cricketers on Wednesday called off their strike as the country's cricket board accepted most of the demands, including a pay increase and other benefits.

The country's top players led by Twenty20 skipper Shakib Al Hasan went on strike on Monday demanding better pay and conditions, putting the side's planned tour of India from November 3 in jeopardy.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has agreed with most of the demands placed by the players, board president Nazmul Hasan told reporters after a meeting on Wednesday night.

The truce means that the team's T20 and Test tour of India, beginning November 3, will go on as per schedule and players will be joining the preparatory camp on Friday.

"As Papon bhai (BCB boss Nazmul Hassan) said, it was a fruitful discussion. He and the rest of the directors assured us that our demands will be met as soon as possible. Based on their assurance, we will start playing the NCL and attend the training camp," Shakib was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.

Shakib attended the meeting alongside other senior players including Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah and Tamim Iqbal.

 

"We are joining the camp on Friday. The board has assured us that our demands will be fulfilled," Shakib Al Hasan told reporters.

Earlier on Wednesday, they players demanded a fair share of BCB's revenue and better pay for female cricketers in addition to their previous demands.

As well as hefty pay increases, players in the cricket-mad Asian country demanded a return to a franchise-based model in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) and the resignation of the present committee of the country's Cricketers Welfare Association.

The players also demanded settlement of dues from the BPL and the removal of the restriction on cricketers playing in more than two franchise leagues.

The boycott had affected the on-going National Cricket League, Bangladesh's first class cricket competition, and the national training camp ahead of the tour in India.

The tour includes three Twenty20 internationals and two test matches. Bangladesh announced a 15-man T20 squad last week with Shakib set to lead the side.

The board lashed out at the players who hatched a "conspiracy" to destabilise the game in the country by striking, while an international federation of players' associations came out in support of the action on Tuesday.

BCB President Hassan said on Tuesday the board was open to discussions but criticised the players and vowed to try to find out who instigated the strike.

AGENCIES