Afridi’s Frustration: Unpaid a Month After BPL Ends

Sports Desk

Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi, who served as an ambassador and advisor for Chattogram Challengers in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), has not received his due payment, leading him to seek help from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). The former Pakistan captain has emailed BCB President Faruk Ahmed, requesting assistance and warning that he may escalate the matter to higher authorities in both countries if necessary.

The 11th edition of the BPL was marred by controversies over player payments. Despite the interim government’s Ministry of Sports taking responsibility, the issue remains unresolved. In an interview with Bangladesh’s leading online news portal, bdnews24.com, Afridi detailed his grievances: “My contract was for $100,000. It was agreed that $50,000 would be paid upon my arrival in Bangladesh, and the remaining $50,000 during the tournament. However, I have only received $19,000. They kept delaying, saying ‘today, tomorrow.’ I fulfilled all my responsibilities as per the contract, but the payment was not made. I am shocked by Sameer’s (Sameer Kader Chowdhury) behavior. I did not expect this.”

Afridi revealed that he was not provided a return ticket after taking a break mid-tournament to return home. He has now informed BCB President Faruk Ahmed about the issue and is prepared to escalate it to the prime ministers of both countries if necessary. “I have written to BCB President Faruk Ahmed a few days ago. If needed, I will write to our Prime Minister and Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor as well,” he said.

In his letter to the BCB president, Afridi expressed his love for Bangladesh and provided details of his contract with Chattogram Challengers, urging the BCB to intervene for the payment of his dues. Sameer Kader Chowdhury, the owner of Chattogram Challengers, acknowledged that Afridi has not been paid in full but assured that he would receive his due payment, without specifying a timeline. Meanwhile, BCB President Faruk Ahmed has been unavailable for comment, not responding to journalists’ calls.