It was all over before a ball was bowled in Savar on Friday. Brothers Union, still waiting on a large chunk of their Dhaka Premier League wages, simply did not present a captain for the toss. Umpires Moniruzzaman and Shafeen Shareef had little choice; match referee Enayet Chowdhury noted the absence, ticked the bylaws, and awarded Agrani Bank a walk-over.
Under clause 16.15.2 of the tournament regulations a walk-over equals automatic relegation, the return of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) grant, plus a BDT 20,000 fine. Individual runs and wickets vanish from the official record as well. A harsh package, yet every side signs up to it.
Off-spinner Sohag Gazi spoke for a dressing-room that feels ignored. “We didn’t get our due amounts despite repeated requests,” he said. “When there was disagreement before the start of today’s match, the team manager told us off. We were also subjected to humiliation by other team officials.”
Gazi outlined the numbers. The squad received 20% of its contracts when the league began. A further 30% was promised before Eid but never arrived. “We kept requesting since all of us needed the money to sacrifice an animal which is our religious obligation during this Eid. We are really struggling financially.”
In a late attempt at compromise, players were willing to waive half the remaining money. The offer fell flat. “When we were seeking a meeting with the club official, he made us wait at his reception for three hours,” Gazi continued. “Then he handed us small envelopes that contained amounts ranging from BDT 6,000 to 35,000 ($50 to 280 approx.). We returned the money. The players even told the officials that if Brothers Union is relegated, we will not ask for 50% of the money, but at least give us the rest. We were met with more abuse.”
By staying in the hotel rather than on the field, Brothers drop to second bottom of the 12-team table and cannot escape the drop. Agrani Bank, needing the points to finish mid-table, accepted the paperwork and prepared for home.
Non-payment rows are not new at Brothers Union. Short-term settlements do crop up — usually when media pressure rises — but players complain the larger arrears rarely disappear. Relegation to the city’s First Division would remove the TV glare and, cynics say, further delay any lasting solution.
Six matches were scheduled on the final league day across three venues; only this one failed to start. For the record, it will read: Agrani Bank won by walk-over. A dull line in the results column hides a far sharper reality: without reliable contracts, even professional cricketers can opt not to play.
