BCB smells conspiracy in players' strike

#DHAKA

Bangladesh Cricket Board President Nazmul Hassan has said that the national players' unprecedented strike, which has jeopardised the upcoming tour of India, seems to be a "conspiracy" to destabilise the game in the country.

Hassan's comments come after top players including Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim on Monday announced a boycott of cricketing activities until their demands, including a salary hike, are met.

"We will find who is behind this conspiracy," said Hassan even as the BCB called an emergency meeting of directors to discuss the issue.

BCB director Jalal Yunus said the players should have come to the board with their demands rather than communicating with them through media. "We had no idea that the cricketers were so angry, disappointed and upset," Yunus told Bengali daily Samakal. "This is nothing but blackmailing."

Former captain and BCB cricket operations head Akram Khan empathised with the players. "These things always start with a movement. Once you sit with the board, it is no longer a movement. The board is there to serve the cricketers' purpose. I hope there will be reconciliation between the players and the board," said Khan.

The BCCI has maintained that it will adopt a wait-and-watch policy in a matter that is internal. PTI