Exclusive: Can Alex Marshall Restore Credibility to Bangladesh’s Corruption-Hit Premier League?

The arrival of Alex Marshall, the former head of the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU), has sparked a wave of debate in Bangladesh’s cricketing circles. 

The question is simple but pressing: can he restore credibility to a system scarred by repeated corruption scandals?

Since its inception, the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), the country’s only franchise-based T20 competition, has battled questions of integrity.

The issue became glaring in 2013, when former national captain Mohammad Ashraful was charged in a corruption case, forcing the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to suspend a season of the tournament. 

Allegations of fixing have surfaced repeatedly, and recent media reports suggested that several players were under suspicion for wrongdoing in the latest BPL edition.

Against this backdrop, Marshall’s appointment as consultant to restructure the BCB’s ACU marks a significant move.

BCB PLANS TO RESTRUCTURE ITS ANTI-CORRUPTION UNIT

Speaking to SportsBoom, BCB media committee chairman Iftekhar Rahman said the board is determined to show zero tolerance toward corruption.

“I think Alex will reshape our ACU, and we need that desperately,” Iftekhar told SportsBoom.com. 

“We brought him in because there has been constant talk about restructuring, training, and strengthening the unit, making it more efficient and staffed full-time.”

An independent inquiry committee had already been formed following media reports of corruption in the BPL. Its findings, Rahman confirmed, will soon be submitted.

“From their communication, it is clear that the ACU needs changes to enhance its capability,” he said.

MARSHALL’S PLAN FOR A CLEANER BPL

In his initial meetings with BCB officials, Marshall outlined his plan of action, insisting that the BPL requires a dedicated integrity unit to ensure the protection of players and the tournament’s credibility.

Recent reports have alleged that some cricketers were actively planning to form a “nexus” ahead of the upcoming BPL.

The inquiry committee has even recommended that three franchises, Durbar Rajshahi, Dhaka Capitals, and Sylhet Strikers, not be cleared to participate unless they are proven innocent.

According to Iftekhar, Marshall has already set the groundwork. 

“He has his plan in place, and during our meeting he explained how it would work. Taking that into account, we can surely say there will be visible changes in ACU operations,” Iftekhar added. 

However, resources will be critical.

“He needs to develop strong human resources so that his plan can be implemented properly. The effort must be long-term, focused on education, protection, and enforcement. If someone breaches the rules, they need to know they will be investigated and prosecuted."

NEW INTEGRITY UNIT TO BE DESIGNED IN WEEKS

BCB officials expect Marshall to finalise the design of the integrity unit within the next three to four weeks.

“The integrity unit will send a strong message that cricket in Bangladesh will be clean, and our board president is fully supporting that vision,” Iftekhar said.

“He will be working directly with the board and the president to design a system that provides the right level of protection.”

Education will be a central focus of the new framework. Players, officials, and stakeholders will be made aware of the threats that exist in modern cricket and how to guard against them.

“The integrity unit will be designed to make sure everyone is educated, that they understand what the threat looks like, and what they need to look out for,” Rahman concluded.

For Bangladesh cricket, the scars of corruption have lingered for more than a decade, often overshadowing the growth of the game on the field. 

The BPL, in particular, has struggled to shake off its reputation as vulnerable to manipulation.

Marshall’s arrival does not guarantee an immediate cure, but it signals intent. With his experience at the ICC and the BCB’s public commitment to reform, there is renewed hope that Bangladesh can finally rebuild trust in its most glamorous cricketing product.

The next few weeks, as Marshall lays down the blueprint for a new integrity unit, may prove decisive in determining whether the BPL can transform from a league plagued by suspicion into one defined by professionalism and credibility.