BCB to discuss with Government to make match-fixing a criminal offence

Sayeed Ibrahim Ahmed, Bangladesh Cricket Board's ad-hoc committee member, said the board will discuss with the government whether match-fixing can be turned into a criminal offense.

Ibrahim told Cricbuzz they have zero tolerance on fixing issues and insisted recent banning of cricketers and organizers due to fixing activities in BPL is a warning, adding they can go for stricter action.

"If cases are changed from civil to criminal, people will think before doing such a thing," said Ibrahim, who is contesting in the BCB election scheduled on June 7.

"You have already seen notices to five individuals regarding a fixing scandal based on our Anti-Corruption Unit report," he said. "This serves as a warning. Let's keep sports clean. If required, we can talk to stakeholders and start initiatives."

Mahin M Rahman, counsel to BCB's Integrity Unit, said they are looking to start the process after Eid. "First the law needs to be made from the Law Commission and approved by the law ministry. Match-fixing has to be criminalised under the law of land. In Sri Lanka, it has been criminalised specifically in relation to cricket. There will be a specific law addressing these issues in cricket and other sports."

Match-fixing has been an issue in BPL since its inception in 2012, with former Bangladesh skipper Mohammad Ashraful banned for eight years for match-fixing in 2013, and the 2014 BPL edition postponed.