ICC acts after BPL fixing arrest

One player has been called into hearing by the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) and ICC Anti Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) officials on Monday after a man was arrested the previous night for his suspected involvement in fixing in the BPL.

Sajid Khan, a Pakistani citizen, was approached by Chittagong Kings officials during their game against Barisal Burners at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on Sunday evening. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) security staff stopped him near the players' zone, which he was trying to access.

The BCB security chief, Col (rtd) Mesbahuddin Serniabat, told New Age that the BCB had kept an eye on Sajid since the matches held in Chittagong, and finally captured him on Sunday. "His movement was very suspicious and we followed him from Chittagong," he said, adding that they had immediately taken him to the ICC Anti-Corruption and Security Unit official before handing him over to the Mirpur police, who were supposed to raid the man's hotel room.

It is understood that the security officers found the bank account number of one player of the Chittagong Kings and the e-mail address of another who is playing for the Dhaka Gladiators in Sajid's mobile inbox.

"He [Sajid] has been handed over to the police so the investigation is now in their hands," BCB media committee chairman Jalal Yunus said. "We are happy to have caught him though it is certain that such individuals have been visiting the country for many cricket series in the past. I hope we can get to the bottom of this situation."

An official of the Chittagong franchise, requesting anonymity, has told ESPNcricinfo that Sajid had been found talking to some of their foreign players during the tournament, eliciting suspicion after sitting directly on top of the players' dugout and dressing room during the matches held in Mirpur.

The incident occurs just over two weeks after Dhaka Gladiators captain Mashrafe Mortaza reported to his franchise that he had been approached by a fellow cricketer regarding potential spot-fixing during the BPL. The BCB has formed a four-member committee to inquire into the allegation.