CWAB expresses solidarity with revolting Brothers players

The Cricketers' Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) threw their support behind the Brothers Union players after they boycotted Friday's Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League match against Agrani Bank Cricket Club despite arriving at the venue.

The toss did not even take place at ground four of Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishthan (BKSP), as a result of which Brothers forfeited the match and Agrani Bank received a walkover. Brothers players took the stance to protest against unpaid wages.

Due to the walkover, the Gopibagh based outfit now face an almost certain relegation from the league in accordance with the tournament by-laws. 

In addition to their support for the players, CWAB also called for exemplary punishment against Brothers official Amin Khan, and the club itself.

"The CWAB expresses full solidarity for the players of Brothers following the walkover incident at BKSP. The level of frustration among the players had reached such a point that they could not fulfill their professional duties," said the CWAB statement.

"The Dhaka League is a professional tournament where 76 clubs participate every season. For the clubs, matters such as promotion, league top spot, and prestige hold immense importance. At the same time, this league is the main source of livelihood for the country's cricketers. In this situation, we believe that the walkover incident is entirely the responsibility of the Brothers Union club. They should have ensured the cricketers' remuneration long before the match against Agrani Bank Cricket Club," it noted.

"The players of Brothers Union had requested the club officials for the payment of at least 30% of their total remuneration before Eid, which was accepted by mutual consent. But the officials did not keep their word. They even insulted the cricketers over trivial matters," it stated.

"Since the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is currently passing a busy time on the occasion of the upcoming Board of Directors election on 7 June, we want to discuss the matter after everything is settled. CWAB will work with the BCB to create a legal framework in the future so that incidents like this do not happen and players' rights remain protected," it added.

"However, for the time being, we demand that Brothers Union official Amin Khan be banned for life from all BCB activities for extreme negligence in professional duties. CWAB further hopes that the BCB takes strict action against clubs like Brothers Union. Although they have been relegated according to the league's bylaws, the BCB should set an example by giving appropriate punishment to Brothers Union," it concluded.