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After a day of uncertainty and tension, Bangladesh cricket received a late-night sigh of relief: the Bangladesh Premier League is set to resume.
BPL Governing Council Secretary Iftekhar Rahman announced at a press briefing that matches will restart on Friday.
He was joined by Cricketers’ Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) President Mohammad Mithun, Test captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, and ODI captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz, signalling a consensus after prolonged negotiations.
Following a day of heightened tension and uncertainty, a breakthrough was reached after 8pm when cricketers agreed to compromise on their initial demands.
The resolution led to an immediate meeting at the BPL Governing Council’s office in Gulshan. Senior players, including Mithun, Shanto, Miraz, and Litton Das, joined BCB President Aminul Islam and other board directors there at 10:30pm.
Following the meeting, Iftekhar Rahman Mithu, member secretary of the BPL Governing Council, addressed the media, confirming that all parties were committed to resuming the tournament.
"We have reached an agreement because we all want to see cricket return to the field," he said.
The member secretary echoed the board’s recent statements of support for the players, describing the controversial remarks made by BCB Director M Najmul Islam as "uncalled for”. He acknowledged that the sport’s financial health, including ICC funding and television revenue, is entirely dependent on the players.
On the disciplinary action against Najmul, Iftekhar clarified that the formal process is already under way.
"We have explained our position to the players. The director in question has already been removed from his post as chairman of the Finance Committee.
“As we must follow the board’s constitution, a 'show cause' notice has been issued, giving him 48 hours to respond. That deadline expires on the afternoon of the 17th."
Once the response is received, the matter will be referred to the disciplinary committee for further action in accordance with the BCB’s governing rules.