BCB Integrity Head Defends Exclusion of Players From BPL Auction Amid Ongoing Investigations

Alex Marshall, the independent head of the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) anti-corruption and integrity unit, has said that keeping certain individuals out of the upcoming Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) was one of several measures aimed at “protecting” the tournament while active investigations continue.

His remarks were aired during the broadcast of the BPL 12 auction, held on Sunday, a day after the BCB removed several players from the auction pool. Marshall said he had advised the BPL governing council not to invite specific individuals for this season, stressing that their absence would make the competition “much safer.”

“In advance of BPL 12, I have provided advice to the governing council about some people who should not be invited to this year's event,” Marshall said. “That's just one of many actions being taken to protect this year's BPL. I felt it would be much safer to keep some people away while investigations are completed and we look back over recent years.”

Marshall avoided naming any individuals, citing ongoing inquiries. “I will never discuss the details of a live investigation,” he said. “That's unfair to victims and witnesses, and it’s unfair to people who are suspects. My team will maintain confidentiality.”

The BCB has confirmed that investigations into potential wrongdoing linked to previous editions of the BPL are still underway.

High Court Rejects Petitions Challenging Player Exclusions

Hours before the auction began, the BCB announced that the Bangladesh High Court had dismissed three writ petitions challenging the decision to exclude nine cricketers from the auction list.

The board’s official statement noted that a two-judge bench—Justice Sikder Mahmudur Razi and Justice Raziuddin Ahmed—summarily rejected the petitions on November 30, 2025, after hearing arguments from counsel representing both the petitioners and the BCB.

With the rejection of the petitions, the BPL 12 auction proceeded without the nine excluded players, affirming the BCB’s position as it continues its integrity-focused review ahead of the 2025–26 season.