As many as 10 players and four franchises are under scanner for spot-fixing during the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). The Bangladesh Cricket Board's (BCB) Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) is investigating eight matches for suspected fixing based on anonymous tips and media reports.

According to a report in The Daily Star, out of the 10 players who are under ACU's radar, six have played for the national side, two are uncapped players and two are overseas players. The franchises in question are - Durbar Rajshahi, Dhaka Capitals, Sylhet Strikers and Chittagong Kings. The matches that are being investigated for spot and match-fixing are - Fortune Barishal vs Rajshahi (January 6), Rangpur Riders vs Dhaka (January 7), Dhaka vs Sylhet (January 10), Rajshahi vs Dhaka (January 12), Chittagong vs Sylhet (January 13), Barishal vs Khulna Tigers (January 22), Chittagong vs Sylhet (January 22) and Rajshahi vs Rangpur (January 23).

In the aforementioned matches, there were instances of bowlers conceding three consecutive wides and no-balls, suspicious playing XI selection, and slow batting in the middle overs while chasing big totals.

Meanwhile, there are concerns about about the working of the seven designated ACU integrity officers for each of the seven franchises because their payment, accommodation, and other allowances are taken care of by the franchises itself.

"It was brought to the attention of both [BCB] CEO [Nizamuddin Chowdhury] and [BCB] president [Faruque Ahmed] that when the ACU officials are with the team, how could they work properly if their expenses are taken care of by those franchises. They will definitely be biased," a BCB official, requesting anonymity, told The Daily Star.

"When I told them about the matter, the president and CEO agreed on the point. But later nothing changed, I don't know. But this is obviously an absurd matter," he concluded.

The report in the Daily Star also states that there were instances of cricketers outside of the official team list – one each from the Rajshahi and Chittagong franchises – being present at the players' dugout.

BCB's head of ACU, Major (Retd) Raiyan Azad, told The Daily Star that no PMOA [Players Match Officials Area] had been issued for the two players, however, he promised to look into the matter if provided authentic proof.

"If they stay at the dugout all the time during the match, it's a matter of concern for me. He may have taken the pass by some unfair means," said Raiyan, admitting that they are working on a few alleged suspicious matches in this year's competition.

"This is very common in international and franchise tournaments. When a tournament takes place, we get tips from many corners. The Intelligence hub of the ICC, our ACU network, and the media also have their network. So it's a regular process," said Raiyan, who also lamented not having enough permanent officials at the ACU.

"In the Dubai ILT20, there is an ICC ACU official for every match. Here I have been covering all 46 matches. The integrity officers aren't working here permanently. They come here, work for a certain time, and then leave," he added.

This is not the first time BPL has been under the scanner for spot-fixing. In 2014, former Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful admitted to spot-fixing in BPL 2013 and was banned for eight years.

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