Nasum alleges to be victim in Sylhet Titans’ ‘cheque fraud’ saga

Sylhet Titans’ left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed has sparked a major Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) controversy by claiming that he is yet to receive Tk35 lakh from his franchise, a claim the team’s management has dismissed as a "misunderstanding" over unfulfilled performance bonuses. Despite being the highest wicket-taker for the Titans and second-highest overall in the recently-concluded season with 18 scalps, the spinner’s off-field experience has turned into a "circus" of bounced cheques and disputed verbal agreements. The 31-year old gave his version of the story in an exclusive chat with Daily Sun. Below are the excerpts:

Daily Sun: Nasum, first of all, if you could talk a bit about your latest social media post...

Nasum Ahmed: The status, actually, I didn't mention anyone, or I didn't say anything to anyone directly; I just tried to write what came to my mind. Primarily, the issue is, as you know, I played for the Sylhet Titans team in the last BPL, and I was a direct signing player. So, I had a contract with them. Based on that contract issue, I posted that status. Now, you know it’s been about two and a half to three months since the BPL ended. Currently, I have no contact or communication with anyone. I think the last time I spoke [with Sylhet] was when I was playing the last Bangladesh Cricket League one-dayers; that was the last time we spoke, and not after that. Oh, sorry, the last time was when the Bangladesh Cricket Board gave money to the players; that was the last time we spoke. There was no conversation after that. Actually, I didn't want to talk about these things at all. First of all, Sylhet is my hometown. And I have a good relationship with the person I had the contract with. I respect him a lot...

Daily Sun: So you "have a good relationship" or "had"?

Nasum: Have... had...

Daily Sun: They don't answer your phone now. Can you still say "have a good relationship"?

Nasum: I don't know why he's doing this; he shouldn't be doing this. I’m very upset. At least, you know, you could talk to me a bit or tell me, "Give me some time," or... because you told me in the past, "Nasum, I'm giving you this, I will give you this myself, yours won't be lost, you will get yours." He even spoke to me on the phone with two other witnesses in a conference call. Suddenly, you're not keeping in touch with me, not talking, and you're not giving me my money either. I don't even know when you'll actually give me my money. My only wish is... Alhamdullilah, I played very good cricket in this BPL.

Daily Sun: You finished as the second highest wicket-taker…

Nasum: Yes, second-highest wicket-taker, the economy was also probably 5.97, and there was a very good bowling spell—five wickets for seven runs.

Daily Sun: And two Man of the Match awards as well…

Nasum: Yes, Man of the Match in two or three (two) matches. I played for the Sylhet team from 2020 to 2026, I feel like I played the best cricket in this BPL compared to all other editions. In this BPL, coming to my own division, everyone had a... [expectation] why I don't play for my own division. Because I’m not always taken, or they don't get me; maybe I get contracted with another team, or another team pick me. This time, they [were in touch] with me from a year ago. I think he also talked to you; I saw an interview. But at the end of the day, I didn't get the money for which I had talked to them. First, the talk with me was that my direct signing payment would be given first, then my draft money would be given to me later by cheque. When he gave me the first cheque, he called me separately and said, "Nasum, don't deposit the cheque." "Okay, brother, I won't deposit it." He said, "You will get your full payment within one month of the BPL ending." After that, he gave another cheque; he said the same thing for both cheques. He gave me Tk28 lakh in three installments. That was my signing money, the Tk28 lakh. When I got a call from the BCB, they asked, "Nasum, they're saying you've been given Tk28 lakh." I said, "Yes, brother, I’ve been given Tk28 lakh; that's my signing money." I had a contract for Tk70 lakh, they gave Tk28 lakh. I haven't received a single Taka of the 35 lakh from the draft. They said, "Nasum, look, they're telling us they gave you Tk28 lakh from the draft money, and we will give the rest." I said, "Okay, let me talk to them." When I talked - as I said, that was the last time I spoke - I said, "Sami (Mahidul Islam) brother, you apparently told the BCB you gave me Tk28 lakh. But you gave me this as signing money." He said, "Nasum, look, the BCB actually doesn't want to agree, and somehow they found out about your Tk70 lakh contract. So you take this now, and your remaining money won't be lost; I will give it to you. This person and that person are on the line..." - I'm not mentioning their names - "In front of them, I'm saying your money won't be lost, I will give you the money. I have it; whatever I have, I have everything." Later, the BCB talked to me again, then his brother called me. That day, probably, our BCL match had ended, I had gone home, and the money was given on that date. His brother called me. His brother’s name is Sadi. So, I said, "Brother, I’ve spoken with Mithu (Iftekhar Rahman) bhai. I’ve come home. Someone else will take my money. I’ve come home. I’ve spoken with Mithu bhai." So, he said, "Okay, that’s not a problem." Then later he called me again and said, "Nasum bhai, the two cheques that were given to you, those two cheques must be returned. Everyone is returning them." I said, "Brother, I won’t be able to return the cheques because I haven’t received the full payment yet." I took a photo and sent the cheques back to him on WhatsApp, asking, "Will you give me this full amount today?" He said, "No, the BCB will give you about Tk3.5 lakh today, not this amount." I said, "Brother, then I won’t be able to give the cheque. I will settle this with Sami bhai." After saying that I would settle it with Sami bhai, I hung up the phone. This was a bit of bad behaviour on my part - that I behaved quite badly with his brother. This is the issue he raised.

So, later I texted him many times, I messaged him. He spoke to me in such a way that it seemed to me he was no longer himself. Finally, I said, "Brother, what should I do with the two cheques you gave me? I’ll deposit them tomorrow. You aren’t giving permission, but once you give permission, I’ll deposit them tomorrow. It’s been many days. The BPL is over. You took the date of the 23rd (of February), then after that this date, that date, the 1st of March - you took all these dates. So, shall I deposit the cheque tomorrow?" So, he sent a laughing emoji and told me, "Good luck." I thought I should deposit it, no problem. I deposited the cheque, then the cheque was returned.

Daily Sun: "Returned", meaning it bounced?

Nasum: Yes, it bounced.

Daily Sun: Cheque fraud? 

Nasum: Later, the bank called me and said, "Brother, there is no money in their account." Then what was I to do? About four or five days ago, I believe, I deposited the cheque again because one of the people he had kept on the phone told me, "Deposit the cheque again." Then Mithu bhai from the BCB also repeatedly told me, "Deposit the cheque, see what happens." I deposited it, and the cheque bounced again. It was said that this cheque should not be processed now. I mean, whoever owns the account, they themselves said that the cheque should not be… that’s how it came to me, the way the call came from the bank. Then I said, "Okay, brother, you deposit it again tomorrow." The same thing happened; they said the cheque should not be processed.

So, when the first cheque was returned, I sent him a message again after the "Good luck" message. After that, I sent him an SMS saying, "Thank you, Sami bhai, for giving me permission to deposit the cheque. Thank you very much. Tomorrow, perhaps I will get 90% of my direct signing money." He was saying Tk28 lakh was for direct signing, not my draft money. To this, he didn't give any answer. Later, after this cheque bounced, I informed him again. But there was no answer to that either.

Finally, I sent him a voice note of about two minutes or a bit more. "Brother, since you are saying I behaved badly with your brother, I am actually sorry. I am saying sorry to you. If there’s been a mistake, please forgive me, brother. I’m actually in such a hurry because I bought a piece of land."

Daily Sun: In Sylhet?

Nasum: Yes. I was actually doing that for my sister. I had already made a down payment in hopes of getting that money. So, that person has come to register the land, but a down payment is never returned, you understand? That’s why I was in a hurry. I was saying all this in the voice note. "Brother, at least give me Tk20–21 lakh before Ramadan so I can settle this. I’m in a bit of trouble."

Daily Sun: To register it?

Nasum: Yes. Again, before that, I told him on a phone call, "Brother, you’ve already made a mistake, you couldn't tell the BCB that you gave me signing money but didn't provide me draft money. Since you’ve made this mistake, you now have to give me the full Tk35 lakh. You won’t be able to give me so much money all at once. Do one thing, during this Ramadan: give Tk2 lakh or Tk5 lakh to Emon (Mahmud) bhai. I am playing now; I’ll come and take the money. Accumulate it like that, because you can’t give me Tk35 lakh all at once." I even told him that much.

But the most painful thing is that he isn't talking to me at all anymore. He isn't giving any answers. This cheque keeps going, the bank calls them, then it comes back to me, I reply to them - he isn't giving any answer to this. The main point is, I didn't want to talk about any of this, but now that my back is against the wall, I have nothing else to do. Because this is direct signing - neither you nor the cricket board will take responsibility for this. Yes, fine, they can help me, but no one will take responsibility. This is my business. But it is my right. I worked hard to play, and I was the second-highest wicket-taker in the BPL. And I was Man of the Match in two games. Now, if you don't give me my money, then it would mean in my own division where I played, I didn't get my due respect. You aren't even asking me or telling me when you will give it to me. You should say something. Or you could at least tell those you kept as witnesses to tell me that they are giving the money in a few days and to ask for a bit of time. You aren't even doing that. So, with no other way, I took permission today and spoke with you. You asked why I posted that status - that’s why I took permission to speak with you today.

But here, I am not trying to belittle anyone or anything. I’ve kept it out of respect. Then BPL ended, I think, on 23rd January. Even many of you guys (media) told me about the payment issue; many people told me. I even defended it to many people, saying, "No, I have received my payment," and so on. I helped as much as I could. I kept it quiet as much as possible.

But now I am in a dilemma about my own situation. So, I don't want anything else; I just pray and request that I get my money before Eid-ul-Azha. And if, you know, as a junior, I might have said something wrong unintentionally - I don't know - but if there was any mistake in my words, please forgive me. But please give me my money before Eid.

Daily Sun: You were the first recruitment for "Cricket with Sami". And this Cricket with Sami is a management group, and many others, including from the national team, are working with him now. But the one who helped Cricket with Sami rise - that's you - is no longer with Cricket with Sami. How sad was it that - I heard from one source - you were even removed from the Cricket with Sami WhatsApp group. Is this true?

Nasum: Yes, it's true. It's like I said - I wrote a status to thank him, to thank him in the group so everyone could see. I was thanking Sami bhai because he was giving me my payment. But the cheque bounced the next day. I saw that I was no longer in that WhatsApp group. And my photos were deleted from their page. Why this was done, I don't know. Maybe he didn't like it. But I never requested him, "Sami bhai, please include me in your group" or "Take me in your Cricket with Sami." You took whoever you could, and you also included me. But you have done a lot for me, I am grateful to you. You've done a lot for me - whether as a younger brother or out of affection - you've done a lot. I am grateful for that.

But the way you are treating the relationship recently has made me very sad. I didn't expect this. I even cancelled before signing to play for the Sylhet team in this BPL. I said I wouldn't play for Sylhet. There was some issue with the payment, then after some adjustments, it was fixed at 70. Then the last message I received was asking if I had been given any offer letter. "Brother, you yourself gave me the offer letter! When you gave it, on that date, there were two or three things written below - that I said 70", then I said, "No, brother, I wanted 75". He also spoke. After those two or three points, I replied on that same date with the signed agreement paper. Then he asked me if I had been given an offer letter. I said, "Sami bhai, how could I become a direct signing player without an offer letter?" If I wasn't a direct signing, my name would have stayed in the draft. So, there’s no point in doing all this. I am requesting you, please give me my money before Eid.

Daily Sun: I mean, why do you have to request so much? This is your due! This is your right. Why so much pleading for your due? 

Nasum: You see, I am that kind of person. I never...

Daily Sun: You must have some hope now that a new board has come, Tamim Iqbal is here, there will be news today or tomorrow - surely this will come to his attention.

Nasum: I have already mentioned this to Tamim bhai. In one way or another, I told Tamim bhai. I also informed Nafees (Shahriar) bhai. One way or another, I have let them know. But I am saying this to the media for the first time today.

Daily Sun: How betrayed do you feel being associated with Sami? Both with Cricket with Sami and the Sylhet franchise? 

Nasum: No, no, I am saying, I have told a few people that I have joined, and you should join too. Many people have spoken with me, and several joined after listening to me. For example, Ebadot (Hossain Chowdhury) is there, Raja (Rejaur Rahman), and several others joined after listening to me. But nothing will happen for me through Cricket with Sami.

Daily Sun: Will it happen for anyone?

Nasum: Whether it will happen for anyone or not, I don't know. As a marketing agent, whatever work there is… I have only done one job in two years, and that was for Tk25,000.

Daily Sun: Cricket with Sami?

Nasum: Yes. After doing it, I received Tk25,000. I mean, I was surprised that he brought me in and made me do this and gave me Tk25,000. But I don't think it will be beneficial. I don't agree with this. If it were beneficial, I would have benefited a lot in three years. Yes, he helps a lot personally. 

If you look at his page, you will understand. How many people watch, or how many people come and comment? You’ll understand just by looking at that. It’s been about two and a half to three years now; has any player gone to play anywhere? Or have you seen any player giving an interview because of Cricket with Sami? There’s no need to do these things, and there’s no need to talk about them either. Leave it.

Daily Sun: If you don't get this money from Sylhet Titans - then, as you mentioned in the context of your conversation, the money for your sister's land deposit... will that deposit money be lost?

Nasum: Yes, no one will return the deposit money, brother. If I can't pay the money on time and register it, he won't return my deposit money. In truth, I have already told a few people that I need some money. But no one will come and give me money because no one will believe that I don't have money at this moment. It’s not something anyone would believe.

Daily Sun: So, you actually bought the land hoping for that money?

Nasum: I bought it hoping for that full Tk35 lakh. The price of that land is Tk54 lakh. I moved forward with buying that land hoping for that money. Whatever I have earned all these years has gone into building the house. Now, I am in a bit of trouble. But I am hopeful; he won't do such a thing (not pay up).

Daily Sun: And are you also hoping that the BCB will look into this or handle the matter?

Nasum: Of course. Since I don't have any other guardian in cricket, our guardian in cricket is now the cricket board. Since I am a contracted player of the cricket board, the cricket board will definitely look into it. Why wouldn't they? They definitely will.