We went there to protest: Noakhali Express on ACU summon

Bashundhara Cement Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) franchise Noakhali Express’ team management member said on Saturday that they were not summoned by the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) Anti-Corruption Unit following their match against Dhaka Capitals in Sylhet on 7 January, rather they went there to protest as they felt embarrassed after fingers were pointed at them.

Daily Sun earlier reported that several members of the franchise, including players and coaching panel staff, were summoned by ACU after their defeat to the Capitals, though a member of the team management begs to differ.

“It’s not like we (members of Noakhali Express) were summoned or called by ACU, rather we went there to protest after a member of their Unit came to the dressing room and made inappropriate remarks,” said the official.

“He (member of ACU) came into our dressing room and spoke in a way that basically implied that the whole team were fixing matches. Brother, I’m not doing anything. Nabi (Mohammad) bhai reacted first and said, ‘I’m not doing anything. I’ve been playing for so long in my life - nothing like this has ever happened.’ Later, chacha (Khaled Mahmud Sujon) reacted sharply and he doesn’t know any such thing either,” said the coaching panel member before adding, “Then Nabi bhai and I said we would go after him and tell him, ‘What kind of behaviour is this? If you suspect someone or if you know someone is doing something wrong, then catch that person and talk to him, or suspend him’.”

“They (ACU members) are going too far, brother. If you have suspicion about someone, then catch that person. Call him, take him to your room and talk to him or if you know that someone is doing such things and you have evidence, then take action - suspend him, ban him, do whatever you want. But why would you accuse everyone collectively? What is this?” he concluded furiously.

Noakhali are the second team after Dhaka to show their displeasure with the working style of ACU in the ongoing BPL.

Meanwhile, a BCB official said on Saturday that they feel the board’s ACU is working within its jurisdiction.

The announcement came a day after the Capitals threatened to quit from the tournament as they felt humiliated by the ACU, better known as BCB Integrity Unit members.

The tournament had been plunged into a state of severe internal crisis following explosive allegations of "mental torture" and "unprofessionalism" leveled against the BCB’s Integrity Unit by the Capitals’ CEO Atik Fahad on 9 January.

In a stunning escalation of tensions that threatens the very participation of the franchise, Fahad revealed on Friday that the team are considering a total withdrawal from the competition if the current climate of humiliation and procedural overreach continues.

The standoff reached a breaking point following a controversial early-morning incident involving Afghan superstar Rahmanullah Gurbaz.

Furthermore, Fahad added that he is disappointed with the fact that his mobile was seized by the Integrity Unit members.

“After the 15th (of January), our ACU official will come and brief you. But in my opinion, they do not take anyone’s phone without reason. This is part of the monitoring process. They can ask for my phone at any time as well, and they have full right to do so. So this has happened within that process,” BPL governing council member secretary Iftekhar Rahman told reporters at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Saturday.

“As for the issue regarding Gurbaz, you can enquire further. The guidelines and anti-corruption codes clearly state that they have full right in how they conduct monitoring. They have not stepped outside those guidelines. So if someone does not like it, that is an individual matter,” he said.

“There is nothing to say about the allegations. The ACU is an independent body. We are taking their assistance. In addition, as you know, we have brought in their manager from the International Cricket Council so that they can work as an additional unit. So right now, they are carrying out their operational activities strictly by maintaining the anti-corruption guidelines and codes. This is how it is done in World Cups and other franchise leagues as well, and Bangladesh is following the same process. The thing is, it may feel excessive to you personally. But what I have confirmed is that they are maintaining the anti-corruption code and manual 100%,” he added.