|| CF Correspondent ||

Sylhet Thunder's controversial pace bowler Krishmar Santokie makes it into the playing XI against Rajshahi Royals despite raising quite a few eyebrows in the Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League opener.

Sylhet Thunders team director Tanjil Chowdhury revealed that they have requested Bangladesh Cricket Board to investigate the wide and no-ball of Krishmar Santokie in his opening over against Chattogram Challengers in the first game of the ongoing BBPL at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on November 11.

There was apprehension whether he will be picked for the second game against after fingers being pointed out on him but Royal’s team management seemed to think otherwise.
Santokie bowled a huge wide in his third delivery but the no-ball that he bowled two balls later cannot be ignored as just something like part of the game considering the length he overstepped.

BCB appointed seven board directors to be involved with respective teams that are sponsored by the different business houses for the special edition of BBPL.

BCB is organizing the special BBPL to mark the birth anniversary of the father of the nation after cutting ties with the franchises citing that the franchises were making unreasonable demands.

Tanjil, who is given the charge of Sylhet Thunders, said that he smells something fishy and requested BCB and ACU to investigate the matter verbally.

‘’The no-ball that he bowled is suspicious,’’ said Tanjil.

‘’He [Santokie] is not yet called by the BCB but I have lodged my complaint. I verbally requested CEO and Morshed [BCB anti-corruption head] to investigate the matter[ no ball],’’ he said.

‘’We[ BCB director] don’t have anything to do with the playing XI. It is up to the management and the coach. I asked the sponsors whether they interfered in the playing XI and they are refusing to say anything. Now we have to talk with the team management and know whether anyone influenced them to play Santokie because it seems he is associated with spot-fixing.

Tanjil raised suspicion about the sponsor [Jivani Footwear Company] and said that he is quite doubtful about their activities since the day of the player’s draft.

‘’They have brought a cricketer called Santokie and he had given such a no-ball and such a wide ball. It was something that I was afraid of whether such a thing can happen,’’ said Tanjil. 

‘’On the day of the players' draft, there was a lot of conflict between us. Me and team director Sarowar Imran was convinced with a certain decision. Sponsors were insisting on taking few cricketers and we were not sure why they are insisting to pick those cricketers. We had the chance to pick Nayeem Sheikh and other superstars. But they preferred to pick players like Sohag Gazi and Santokie. That is the reason we started doubting them. I have informed BCB governing council members and BCB president in the paper about my apprehension. I have even informed it to Mahbub Anam. At that point, they[ BCB] have called them and cautioned them. We have picked a few cricketers outside the draft. But players like Santokie are picked by the sponsor and they communicated with their agents all by themselves,’’ he said.

Tanjil also raised the question about the integrity officer [ACU official] that is staying with the Thunders team.