BCB to probe alleged match-fixing in NCL

The BCB will form a committee to investigate alleged match-fixing claims during the final round of this season's National Cricket League, president Nazmul Hassan has said. The accusation has been laid on the Rangpur Division-Dhaka Metropolis match. Rangpur's 102-run win had given them their maiden NCL title.

"It was only after a television channel interviewed [BCB's tournament committee chairman] Akram [Khan] (on Friday) that I became aware of the issue," Hassan said. "I asked for the finer details. I feel we should investigate it because a complaint has been lodged. We will form a probe committee on Sunday."

The investigation will follow a complaint on March 19 by officials of Khulna Division to the BCB tournament committee. A recorded conversation between a Khulna official and a Dhaka Metropolis coach was also submitted. The board's anti-corruption unit will first investigate the matter, followed by the investigation committee.

Khulna, Rangpur and Dhaka Division were all on 96 points at the start of the final round of matches. On the third day, Khulna completed an innings-and-24-run win over Chittagong Division which helped them move to 120 points. Rangpur now needed 25 points to move ahead of Khulna. To achieve that, Rangpur had to bowl out Dhaka Metropolis on the fourth and final day, after setting them a 361-run target with a minimum of 80 overs left in the day.

Dhaka Metropolis were bowled out in the 80th over for 258. While this match was going on, Khulna captain Abdur Razzak posted a status on Facebook alleging match-fixing in the NCL but didn't specify any team or player. He later deleted the post.

Akram told New Age on May 14 that all proof will be passed on to the board's disciplinary committee.

"We will submit all acquired evidences to the disciplinary committee in a short period," Akram said. "Later the hearing procedure will be conducted by a disciplinary panel before they move on to the next course of action, if required."