Bangladesh board calls cricketers' strike a 'conspiracy', players body backs protest

BCB chief Hassan promises to 'find who is behind' current crisis

Bangladesh national cricket team captain Shakib Al Hasan (C) speaks with journalist next to teammate Mushfiqur Rahim (R) at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, in Dhaka on October 21, 2019.  Bangladesh cricketers including the members of the Bangladesh national squad called an unprecedented strike on October 21 demanding sweeping pay hike, effectively putting the team's next month's tour of India in jeopardy. / AFP / STR
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Bangladesh's cricket board lashed out at the players who hatched a "conspiracy" to destabilise the game in the country by striking, while an international federation of players' associations came out in support of the action on Tuesday.

The country's top players – led by national captain Shakib Al Hasan – went on strike on Monday demanding better pay and conditions, putting the side's planned tour of India from November 3 in doubt.

Bangladesh cricket Bboard (BCB) president Nazmul Hassan said the board was open to discussions, but he criticised the players and said the administrators would try to find out who instigated the strike.

"This is shocking. I can't even imagine that our players can do something like this," Hassan said. "We'll find who is behind this conspiracy."

As well as hefty pay increases, players are demanding a return to a franchise-based model in the Bangladesh Premier League.

"If they don't want to play, they won't. What will you gain if you don't play? I don't understand why you have to stop playing for the demands," Hassan said.

"If anyone wants to talk, the doors are open for them," he said, adding that players were not answering calls.

But the federation of international cricketers' associations (FICA) backed the players on Tuesday, commending them for "taking a stand together".

"It is a clear indication of the need for change in the way players are treated in what we regard as an important cricket country," Fica executive chairman Tony Irish said in a statement.

"It is also clear to us that the players in Bangladesh don't feel heard or respected in relation to important issues that affect them in their careers and that affect their livelihoods."