Durbar Rajshahi captain Anamul Haque Bijoy claimed that players are yet to receive payments for playing in the ongoing edition of the Bangladesh Premier League, which kicked off today at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.  

Controversy has remained a thorn in the tournament since its inception and more followed from the outset of the 11th edition.

It was learned that none of the franchises have made their payments to the players. According to the tournament's bylaws, franchises are obligated to clear 50 percent of the players' payments before the start of the tournament. A further 25 percent of the total payment has to be made at the halfway mark of the tournament before the remaining proportion is paid upon the conclusion.  

Player payments have been a constant headache throughout the history of the tournament. The Bangladesh Cricket Board even had to pay off the due salaries of players of two franchises from the last edition. 

After Barishal thumped Rajshahi by four wickets in the tournament opener earlier today, Bijoy was asked if Rajshahi players had received 50 percent of their salary.

"No. We haven't received our salaries but I feel the BPL has just started, so we don't want to raise questions or create complications. The players don't want that. 

BPL is watched by everyone in the world, so, we don't want to see such news saying that salaries haven't been given [to the players]," Bijoy said at a press conference after the game.

"We are thinking positively and obviously, a very well-organised environment will be there. Some of us received our jerseys and gears very late too. We all want to take BPL very positively. The owners will not go anywhere without paying the due amounts. And the BCB will arrange it [if payments are not made]. It was delayed possibly due to time constraints.