Bangladesh Premier League in fixing scandal, Director quits amid ICC T20 WC fight

BPL 2025-26 [Source: @_TransGroup/x]

Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) has plunged into a fixing scandal following a recent report. The report has even prompted Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) director Mukhlesur Rahman Shamim to step aside from his duties.

Apart from the alleged fixing controversy, the BCB also coped a major blow in international cricket after the ICC refused to entertain Bangladesh government’s demands of shifting Bangladesh’s 2026 T20 World Cup matches out of India.

Bangladesh cricket falling apart as director resigns

Mukhlesur Rahman Shamim has tendered his resignation as BCB director. The cricket administrator confirmed his decision after a recent report alleged him to have links to fixing activities in the BPL 2025-26 season in Bangladesh.

In a video report published by prominent sports journalist Riasad Azim, Mukhlesur Rahman Shamim has been alleged to have played a role in several fixing-related BPL discussions, especially during the Sylhet leg of the tournament earlier this month. The video report cited several phone call records involving the outbound BCB director.

The circulation of the said video and the rising public scrutiny prompted Shamim to withdraw himself from the BCB. The board is yet to name his replacement, but will be expected to do so in the coming days.

BCB had intensified anti-corruption initiatives

Interestingly, earlier this month, an investigative video report also alleged that Mukhlesur Rahman Shamim was involved in organizing meetings with “spotters” at a Sylhet hotel, with discussions regarding possible financial arrangements were conducted.

Apart from the disgraced BCB director, Noakhali Express franchise individuals Towhid Hossain and Imran Hasan were also accused of their involvement in match-fixing. However, the two were later removed from Express franchise at the instructions of the BCB.

Bangladesh ruled out of T20 World Cup 2026

Apart from coping a possible match-fixing row in BPL 2025-26, Bangladesh cricket is also struck with ICC turning down their request of relocating T20 World Cup 2026 matches from India to Sri Lanka.

It is worth noting that the BCB and Bangladesh government had refused to send the Bangladesh team to India for the showpiece event citing security concerns. The BCB even urged the ICC to shift their matches to Sri Lanka.

The controversy itself stemmed from Bangladesh senior fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman getting expelled from the KKR franchise for the upcoming IPL 2026 season at the directives of the BCCI. The Indian board made the radical decision in light of the prevailing geo-political tensions between the two nations.

With ICC reportedly turning down Bangladesh’s request, and with the BCB remaining adamant on their decision, the Bangladesh cricket team will likely be replaced by Scotland at the 2026 T20 World Cup.

As per the original schedule, Bangladesh is slated to play matches at India’s Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai and at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The team is placed in Group C of the tournament alongside England, Italy, Nepal and West Indies. Their first match of the tournament is scheduled to be played on February 7.