Fresh concerns have emerged around payment security in the Bangladesh Premier League after Nasir Hossain disclosed that the majority of his salary from the latest season remains outstanding.
The Bangladesh all-rounder, who featured for Dhaka Capitals, said he has received just 25 percent of his contracted remuneration — triggering wider questions about franchise due diligence, financial safeguards, and the tournament’s global reputation.
Communication without payment
According to Nasir, players have remained in contact with franchise officials, but assurances have repeatedly replaced action.
“We have a team group. We message there regularly. The messages are seen, and we are told ‘it will be done tomorrow’ or ‘the day after.’ That’s what has been happening,” he told reporters on the sidelines of his business launch event.
Despite ongoing communication, the bulk of the agreed payments have yet to be settled.
“Only 25 percent” received
Nasir publicly confirmed the extent of the delay while addressing reporters. He confirmed that three-quarters of his agreed payment remains due. “No, I’ve received only 25 percent. The remaining 75 percent is still due,” Nasir said.
“I don’t have any regrets personally, but I feel that those who don’t have the financial capacity should not be given a team. I don’t know on what basis franchises are awarded.”
While Dhaka Capitals appeared professionally managed during the season, the payment situation paints a more complicated financial picture behind the scenes.
BCB monitoring situation as bank guarantee looms
The Bangladesh Cricket Board has reportedly assured players that the issue is being monitored, with financial safeguards potentially set to be triggered.
“Mithu (Ifthekhar) bhai assured us,” Nasir said.
“As far as I know, they will monitor the situation until this month. If the franchise fails to pay, then the amount kept as a bank guarantee by Dhaka will be used to clear our dues. We may receive the payment a bit later, but hopefully it will be settled.”
The possible use of a franchise bank guarantee would underline both the existence of structural protections and the seriousness of the delay.
Reputation risk for Bangladesh cricket
Nasir warned that payment issues extend beyond individual contracts and could harm Bangladesh cricket’s standing internationally.
“This hurts the country’s image,” he said.
“Foreign players come here and if payments are delayed, they go back and speak about it. They say Bangladesh’s payment system is poor or that franchises are unreliable. That affects our reputation.”
For a league competing in an increasingly crowded global T20 marketplace, such perceptions could impact overseas recruitment and commercial partnerships.
Concerns over declining standards
The experienced all-rounder also raised broader concerns about the direction of the tournament.
“The board should properly verify who they are giving teams to,” he said.
“Otherwise, at some point, it may feel like the standard of the BPL has fallen below even local neighbourhood cricket.”
He further questioned the league’s current appeal compared to domestic competitions.
“If you look at district or divisional matches, sometimes you see more spectators there than in BPL games,” Nasir noted.
“The quality of the BPL is declining day by day. And if the payment system remains like this, or if franchise owners continue to operate this way, then the future of the BPL will be in question.”
Bigger picture for the BPL
The episode once again puts financial governance in the spotlight within the Bangladesh Premier League. As global T20 leagues professionalise rapidly, operational credibility and payment reliability have become non-negotiable fundamentals.
Nasir’s comments serve as both a personal grievance and a broader warning: without tighter franchise vetting and consistent financial enforcement, the BPL risks erosion of trust among players, partners and international stakeholders alike.
