Asif Mahmud and Central NCP Leader Allegedly Involved in BPL Match-Fixing Scandal!

Despite being one of the biggest advertisements for Bangladesh cricket, the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) has been playing a major role in tarnishing the image of the country’s cricket in recent years. Even star cricketer Tamim Iqbal is reportedly not ready to field the franchise league at the moment. He feels it is a ‘losing project’ that is tarnishing Bangladesh’s image in world cricket. So, he has given his opinion in favor of organizing the BPL after some time.

However, the biggest topic of discussion about the BPL right now is its match-fixing scandal. There have been various rumors and discussions about the fixing of the BPL for several months. In May this year, the names of five people were revealed for their involvement in fixing, including a domestic cricketer, a franchise co-owner and team manager, and others. Behind them is former sports advisor and NCP leader Asif Mahmud.

Now, in the second phase, the names of three more people involved in the BPL fixing scandal have been revealed. However, before the official announcement by the BCB, Star Play has received the names of two of the new three people who were directly involved in the fixing scandal.

According to the information of the private TV channel Star Play, one of the most surprising names among the accused is politician Rafiqul Islam Sani. He is the central co-organizing secretary of the National Citizens Party (NCP). He got the post of BCB councilor on the recommendation or tenure of the then Youth and Sports Advisor Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan and also voted in the BCB elections from Bogra district. Although this politician, who came to BCB with the help of Asif Mahmud while he was the Sports Advisor, was not known to have any connection with sports before, his name has now been added to the BPL fixing scandal.

The second person whose name has emerged is former BCB director and former chairman of the audit committee, Mokhlesur Rahman Shamim. Allegations of his involvement in match-fixing surfaced in the media in late 2025. He later resigned from the post of chairman of the audit committee in January this year.

The names of these new three men came to light after a lengthy and thorough 900-page investigation report by the AKSU/Integrity Team, led by Alex Marshall, a former officer of the ICC or BCB’s anti-corruption unit.

The organizers, who did not wish to be named, said those who corrupted cricket should be brought to justice.