The BPL Salary Saga: Sylhet Titans Respond to Nasum Ahmed

The drama surrounding the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) continues even after the action on the field has concluded. The latest development in the professional friction between spinner Nasum Ahmed and the Sylhet Titans has seen the franchise come out with a strong official statement, firmly denying the allegation that they owe the player 3.5 million taka.

A Clash of Narratives: Cash vs. Cheques

While Nasum Ahmed had previously claimed that a significant portion of his salary remained unpaid, the Sylhet Titans have presented a very different account of the events. According to the franchise, Nasum has been paid in full, and the dispute now centers on the method of payment and a missing security cheque.

The Titans claim that the payment process was handled unconventionaly at Nasum’s own request. The franchise asserts that the spinner requested the payment be made in cash rather than through traditional banking channels. Because of this, the team believes there is no longer any outstanding debt to the player.

The Security Cheque Controversy

Sylhet Titans highlighted a specific point of contention: the return of a security cheque. The team explained that at the start of the tournament, advance cheques were issued to all players as a safety measure. These cheques were intended to be returned to the franchise once the final payments were settled.

According to the official statement from the team:

• All other players have returned their security cheques upon receiving their payments.
• Nasum Ahmed, reportedly, has not yet returned his cheque despite repeated requests from the management.
• The player was also notably absent on the day payments were settled at the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) office.

The franchise describes this situation as “unfortunate,” suggesting that the player is maintaining possession of a security document while claiming non-payment.

Addressing the Bonus Dispute

Another layer to this conflict is the issue of an alleged bonus. The Titans admitted that there were verbal discussions prior to the auction regarding a potential bonus. However, they clarified that this bonus was contingent upon one specific condition: the team winning the championship title.

Since the Sylhet Titans did not win the BPL title, the franchise maintains that there is no legal or contractual obligation to pay any additional bonus. They insist that all financial transactions have been completed strictly in accordance with the signed agreement.

Official Statement from Sylhet Titans

The franchise provided a detailed breakdown to clear the public confusion. In their official communication, they stated:

“Recently, we have noticed several reports in national dailies and online portals regarding outstanding payments of our player Nasum Ahmed. These reports contain inconsistencies, which may create confusion among the the public. To clarify the matter, Sylhet Titans would like to present the following points:”

1. Settlement of Contractual Dues: The team asserts that Nasum Ahmed’s total payment of 3.5 million taka (B-category player) was resolved last month at the BCB office, and there are no outstanding dues.

2. Clarification on Bonus Discussion: They reiterate that the bonus was a performance-based incentive for winning the title, which was not achieved.

3. Payment Method: They confirm the payment was made in cash at the player’s request and that the security cheque remains unreturned.

Professionalism and Integrity

Sylhet Titans concluded their statement by emphasizing their commitment to professionalism and respect for all players. By issuing this public denial, the franchise aims to shut down rumors and the inconsistencies in reports circulating in national dailies and online portals.

The cricket community now awaits to see if Nasum Ahmed will respond to these specific claims regarding the cash payment and the security cheque, as this dispute continues to carve a path through the BPL’s administrative landscape.