![Bangladesh team in Test whites [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1794629432169_BangladeshteaminTestwhites.jpg?type=hq)
Bangladesh team in Test whites [Source: AFP]
In a massive development, a serious ball-tampering allegation has emerged from Bangladesh's domestic cricket league amid the Sandpapergate fiasco. In the inaugural National Cricket League Second XI competition, the alleged use of petroleum jelly, or Vaseline, to alter the condition of the ball has come to light.
The allegations of ball tampering surfaced after the tournament, which ended on Friday, as Dhaka Division defeated Khulna by an innings and 35 runs to clinch the title. Now, the competition's reputation has come under scrutiny, as players have been accused of using Vaseline to manipulate the ball.
Vaseline applied on ball during NCL to generate reverse swing
As per a report from Cricbuzz, officials from Dhaka Division Second XI alleged after the match that players were applying Vaseline to alter the condition of the ball during play, explaining why and how it was being used. The official claimed that it helps generate reverse swing.
"Yes yes. The players do it (use Vaseline to tamper the ball). They use the Vaseline in between their fingers so it becomes virtually impossible to trace who did it."
"This (using Vaseline) makes the ball heavier, and the ball does not move through the air like it should, which makes the ball reverse. That helps the ball to skid as well as reverse," an official told Cricbuzz, requesting anonymity.
Umpires and BCB committee yet to take any action
The official also shared that although the practice of applying Vaseline is widely known in Bangladesh, it is difficult to identify the people involved in the incident since they adopt various methods to hide the application of the substance.
"This is really hard to trace. Maybe you have to put a camera on everyone. The Khulna team was doing it a lot as they were putting the Vaseline in their hair and then rubbing it on the ball while they were also using it in their hands, and whenever they grab the ball, it gets on the ball.
"We told the umpire several times but it is impossible to trace. They use the Vaseline without any flavour so there's no smell of any kind," he added.
As per the Cricbuzz report, it is understood that the BCB's umpires' committee is yet to receive any official complaint regarding the use of Vaseline for ball tampering.
However, several individuals associated with the NCL league have claimed that umpires, too, have failed to take note of the practice despite teams complaining about it verbally. As of now, the issue has not yet been addressed by the authorities during the ongoing tournament.
