Hannan: Tighter monitoring should be viewed positively

Rajshahi Warriors head coach Hannan Sarkar acknowledged on Saturday that anti-corruption measures in the ongoing Bashundhara Cement Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) are stricter than in previous editions, but stressed that all actions must be conducted strictly within established procedures and guidelines.

Speaking to the media, Hannan said tighter monitoring was evident this season and should be viewed positively. “Honestly, it is true that things are much stricter this time. I have worked as a manager and as a coach before, and I have seen how anti-corruption matters were handled in the past. This time it is being dealt with a bit differently,” he said.

The 43-year-old welcomed the increased vigilance, saying it deserved appreciation, but underlined the importance of due process. Referring to a press release issued by Dhaka Capitals owner Atik Fahad, Hannan said he was not in a position to comment on specific cases. “If everything is done according to the Anti-Corruption Unit’s guidelines and within their process, then there is no scope to ignore it. Whatever happens must happen within the rules,” he added.

The former Bangladesh international said his team would fully cooperate if approached, provided standard procedures were followed. “If the proper protocol is maintained and everything is done within the process - even if it involves my own team - we will try to cooperate. When rules are followed correctly, there is no confusion or hesitation,” Hannan noted.

However, he also expressed concern over reports of certain actions that, according to him, did not align with the pre-tournament briefing. Hannan questioned claims that players were approached inside dressing rooms or that international cricketers’ rooms were entered without permission.

“When a batsman is getting ready to go out to bat, asking him various questions at that moment, or entering a player’s room without permission - these things were certainly not part of the briefing given before the tournament,” the head coach said.