In the aftermath of a sweeping corruption scandal that rocked the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is making an aggressive push to reform the nation’s legal framework — with the goal of making match-fixing a criminal offence.
According to multiple reports, the BCB has already taken concrete action on the issue, placing nine cricketers on a “red flag” list and barring them from this year’s BPL auction after a thorough investigation revealed extensive evidence of fixing and corrupt behavior.
The move, however, is only the beginning of a broader shift. The BCB’s Integrity Unit, led by legal counsel Mahin M Rahman, is now working to engage directly with government authorities to introduce legislation that would bring match-fixing under the umbrella of criminal law — and eliminate the fragmented legal structure that currently governs such offenses.
BCB’s investigation reveals staggering scale of evidence
The decision to bar the players was not taken lightly. The BPL Governing Council acted on the advice of the Integrity Unit after reviewing a comprehensive 900-page investigative report compiled by a three-member committee.
“There’s nothing arbitrary about this. It’s not arbitrary; it’s based on something,” said Mahin M Rahman, counsel to the BCB’s Integrity Unit, speaking exclusively to Daily Sun.
“There is a 900-page report, with, I think, 30 or 40 gigabytes of video, audio, and other evidence submitted to Alex Marshall by the inquiry committee.”
That evidence was subsequently vetted through a rigorous process involving both local and international experts. “Then Alex Marshall himself brought in foreign and Bangladeshi recruits and had that team vet and review everything for two or three weeks. Only then did he write to us. That is what I’m trying to explain — this is not something done arbitrarily,” Rahman added.
A push for a unified and targeted legal framework
Currently, corruption in cricket is handled through a combination of disciplinary codes and other non-criminal statutes, such as the Gambling Act. Rahman explains:
“Right now, we are working part by part — for example, the Anti-Corruption Code on one side, and then taking complaints through the Gambling Act on the other. This creates confusion. All of it will come under one single law,” he said, speaking exclusively to Daily Sun.
The BCB aims to introduce a law that specifically addresses fixing and corruption in cricket and other sports, breaking new legal ground for Bangladesh. “Yes, there will be a specific law that clearly addresses these issues in cricket and other sports, including what happens if someone is involved in fixing or corrupt practices,” Rahman confirmed.
Legal structure modeled after international precedents
Bangladesh is looking abroad for guidance, particularly at countries that have already moved to criminalize match-fixing.
“In several countries, including Sri Lanka, it has been criminalised, and it has been done very specifically in relation to cricket. They have criminalised it in a way that directly targets cricket,” said Rahman, speaking exclusively to multiple outlets (Telecom Asia Sport and Daily Sun).
The proposed legal reform will likely take the form of a standalone statute rather than an amendment to existing laws. “It will fall under criminal law, which is a subject of penal law. Not exactly inside the existing penal code, but there will be a separate law,” he explained.
Rahman likened the approach to existing special legislation. “Like there is a separate Gambling Act, this too can be a separate law. This can be done through an ordinance or through other legal instruments,” he added.
Such a consolidated legal framework would eliminate ambiguity and bring clarity to enforcement. “That would give the whole system a structure,” he said, speaking exclusively to Telecom Asia Sport.
Roadmap for implementation and ongoing legal efforts
While the law is still in its drafting phase, the BCB is expected to formally open discussions with the government after Bangladesh’s next general election, scheduled for February 12, 2026.
“Yes, through an ordinance, or if Parliament sits in February, they can also insert a clause into an existing law,” Rahman said, indicating the multiple procedural avenues available to enact the reform.
Rahman also emphasized that this is not a new effort, but the continuation of years of legal advocacy against gambling-linked corruption. “We have been trying to do this for a long time. I have personally been working on it too, because I have a public-interest writ pending. I have challenged online gambling, and in that case, the court has instructed the government to formulate something,” he revealed.
As cricket faces mounting scrutiny over integrity issues, Bangladesh’s legislative effort could mark a turning point for the nation’s domestic league and reputation.
