Players refused to take the field after alleging non-payment of salaries, forcing the match to be awarded to Agrani Bank by walkover.

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A Dhaka Premier League fixture ended in extraordinary circumstances when Brothers Union forfeited their match against Agrani Bank after players refused to participate due to unpaid dues.

The walkover was confirmed after Brothers Union captain Zahiduzzaman failed to appear for the toss, with umpires Moniruzzaman and Shafeen Shareef, along with match referee Enayet Chowdhury, overseeing the proceedings. As a result, Agrani Bank were awarded the match without a ball being bowled.

The decision could have serious consequences for Brothers Union. Under the Dhaka Premier League’s regulations, any team that concedes a walkover is automatically considered relegated from the competition. The club could also be required to return financial grants received from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), pay a fine of BDT 20,000, and see all player statistics from the tournament removed from official records.

The protest stemmed from long-standing payment issues between the club and its players. According to senior player Gazi, the squad had repeatedly requested their outstanding payments but received little response from club officials.

Players claim they were paid only 20% of their contracted amount at the start of the season and were expecting a further 30% installment before Eid at the end of May. However, that payment never arrived, leaving many players struggling financially during an important festive period.

Gazi explained that several squad members needed the money to fulfil religious obligations associated with Eid, including the purchase of sacrificial animals. Despite multiple appeals, the players say they were unable to secure any meaningful payment from the club.

The situation reportedly deteriorated further when players sought direct discussions with club officials. According to Gazi, the squad waited several hours for a meeting, only to be offered small payments ranging between BDT 6,000 and BDT 35,000. The players rejected the amounts, believing they were far below what was owed.

In an effort to resolve the standoff, the players even proposed giving up half of their remaining payments if the club settled the rest. However, those discussions failed to produce an agreement, leading to the decision not to take the field.

Payment disputes involving Brothers Union have surfaced repeatedly over recent seasons, with players regularly raising concerns about delayed salaries and outstanding contracts. While temporary solutions have occasionally been arranged, a permanent resolution has remained elusive.

If the club’s relegation is confirmed, the latest controversy could once again leave unresolved questions about player payments and financial accountability in domestic cricket, with many fearing the issue will continue without meaningful intervention.