The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is preparing to engage with government authorities over the possibility of making match-fixing a criminal offence, a move that would represent a significant shift in how corruption cases are handled within the country’s sporting landscape, according to a report by Cricbuzz’s Atif Azam. The proposal comes as the board continues to intensify its integrity measures following recent investigations into alleged fixing activities linked to the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).
The latest discussions suggest Bangladesh’s cricket leadership is exploring whether existing disciplinary mechanisms should be complemented by criminal legislation, potentially creating stronger legal consequences for individuals involved in corrupt practices.
Anti-corruption efforts move beyond sporting sanctions
The proposal follows a series of recent anti-corruption actions taken by the BCB. Players and team owners have already faced charges under the ICC Anti-Corruption Code, while the board has also pursued disciplinary measures arising from investigations conducted by its Anti-Corruption Unit.
Discussing the rationale behind the proposed legal changes, Sayeed Ibrahim Ahmed, Bangladesh Cricket Board Ad-hoc Committee Member, told Cricbuzz, “If the cases (fixing) are changed from civil to criminal, then people will definitely think and consider it (that fixing is a criminal offense) before doing such a thing.”
Ahmed pointed to the board’s recent response to corruption concerns, stating, “You have already seen that our board members have already served notices to five individuals regarding a fixing scandal. We took that decision based on the report from our Anti-Corruption Unit.”
Reform effort builds on wider integrity crackdown
The discussion around criminalisation forms part of a broader effort to strengthen cricket governance in Bangladesh. As previously reported by cricexec, the BCB launched an extensive review of corruption concerns following a major BPL investigation that resulted in nine cricketers being placed on a red-flag list and excluded from the league’s player auction.
That investigation was supported by a 900-page report compiled by an inquiry committee and reviewed through a process involving both local and international specialists. The findings prompted calls for a more comprehensive legal framework capable of addressing fixing and corruption issues through a single, dedicated mechanism rather than relying on multiple regulatory pathways.
The board’s Integrity Unit has been actively pursuing reforms aimed at creating clearer enforcement structures and strengthening deterrents against corruption across the sport.
Bangladesh looks to international precedents
The BCB’s legal team believes Bangladesh can draw on examples from other cricketing nations that have already introduced legislation targeting match-fixing.
Explaining the next phase of the process, Mahin M Rahman, Counsel to the Bangladesh Cricket Board Integrity Unit and Head of its Legal Team, told Cricbuzz, “I think there is a law being drafted in this regard (fixing) as far as I know and after Eid I will do close follow-up with the government about it. Match-fixing has to be criminalised under the law of land. In several countries, including Sri Lanka, it has been criminalised. And it has been done very specifically in relation to cricket.”
As previously reported by cricexec, Bangladesh’s proposed reforms have previously been modelled on legal approaches adopted in other jurisdictions, with officials examining dedicated legislation designed specifically to combat corruption in sport.
Focus shifts to potential legislative action
Any move to criminalise match-fixing would require government approval before becoming law. The BCB’s latest position suggests discussions with relevant stakeholders could accelerate as authorities evaluate whether existing regulations provide sufficient protection against corruption risks.
While no legislation has yet been enacted, the proposal represents the clearest indication yet that Bangladesh’s cricket authorities are seeking a more robust legal framework to address integrity threats and reinforce confidence in the country’s domestic competitions.
