India may still be basking after their successful test whitewash of South Africa, but their next international involvement could be under threat after news emerged that leading Bangladeshi players have gone on strike.
Bangladesh are due to arrive in India at the start of November to play 3 T20 Internationals, followed by two test matches. But that tour is now in jeopardy after leading players, including Test captain Shakib Al Hasan, announced they will not participate in any cricket activity until eleven demands are met.
The strike action also includes the ongoing National Cricket League first-class tournament, with the next round of matches due to start this Thursday.
The players are demanding that the salaries in first-class domestic cricket in the country are raised to 100,000 Bangladeshi Taka (£912) per match – an increase close to 300%.
They also want the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to increase the salaries of groundsmen, local coaches, umpires, physios and trainers, and, furthermore, are demanding they invest more money to improve grounds, indoor nets, gyms and equipment throughout the country.
Additional demands cover proposed changes to domestic competitions. The players want the Twnenty20 Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) to return, like India, to a franchise-based model, and that players who participate in the 50-over Dhaka Premier League (DPL) should once again be allowed to choose which team they play for, and to be able to negotiate their own salaries.
Lastly, but not least, they want the leadership of the Cricketers’ Welfare Association to step down, with players permitted to vote to elect the next committee.
The BCB reacted angrily to the news accusing the players involved of a “conspiracy”, and said that the threatened strike action would destabilise cricket in the country. At an emergency meeting on Tuesday, they condemned the actions of the players, with BCB president Nazmul Hassan saying “What will you gain if you don’t play? I don’t understand why you have to stop playing for the demands.”
Hassan also made it clear that the door was open for discussions between the players and the board but claimed that players were not responding.
However, in a further escalation of the conflict the international players union, Fica (Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations) came out in support of the striking players. Executive chairman of Fica issued a statement saying “Fica commends the players in Bangladesh for their unity and for taking a stand together in order to secure fair conditions applicable to them as professional cricketers.
This has happened despite the challenging environment for players to collectivise in Bangladesh and it is a clear indication of the need for change in the way players are treated in what we regard as an important cricket country.”
With the battle lines drawn, one side or the other will need to blink first if there is to any resumption of first-class cricket in Bangladesh any time soon, and Indian supporters thinking about buying tickets for the upcoming matches are advised to wait awhile to see what happens.
