140 Match-Fixing Alerts in 5 Years Rock Bangladesh Premier League

Over the past five seasons, the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) has recorded 140 incidents that raised match-fixing concerns. According to Prothom Alo, ongoing suspicious activity and lack of accountability have earned the BPL a reputation in cricket circles as one of the most compromised leagues globally.

A total of 66 players have been linked to possible fixing, with several flagged in more than one instance.

In the current season alone, 36 suspicious events have already been registered.

The volume of red flags strongly suggests the presence of organized betting-related manipulation around BPL games. Sources cited by Prothom Alo estimate that legal international sportsbooks take in around $5-6 million in bets per BPL match. On the illegal market, that figure reportedly increases to nearly $50-60 million per game. Gambling remains outlawed in Bangladesh.

Despite long-standing concerns, the current Bangladesh Cricket Board leadership has begun taking steps to address corruption in the league. A new three-member independent inquiry panel has been tasked with investigating suspicious activity.

In the last three months, the committee has interviewed close to 50 individuals — including players, coaches, and BPL officials — about fixing practices.

The findings are now being compiled into a report. Still, officials acknowledge that filing formal charges may prove difficult due to lack of hard evidence or reliable witness testimony.

Cricket remains the most-watched sport across South Asia — a fact not lost on those seeking to profit from rigged outcomes. Last year, Sri Lankan police arrested the owner of Lanka Premier League’s Dambulla Thunders, Tamim Rahman, on suspicion of match manipulation.