The Bihar Cricket Association and its registered first-class and List A players might face sanctions from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The BCA defied the BCCI’s orders to not hold the unsanctioned Bihar Cricket League (BCL).
The BCL was held between March 20-26 in Patna that included five franchises Angika Avengers, Bhagalpur Bulls, Dharbhanga Diamonds, Gaya Gladiators and Patna Pilots. The tournament was aired on Eurosport Channel and Darbhanga Diamonds were crowned the champions.
A letter from BCCI (in possession of PTI) had been sent to the BCA that the T20 league wasn’t approved and shouldn’t be held. But the tournament did go ahead according to the schedule.
“We have reviewed your responses to our queries, and upon careful consideration, BCCI has decided to not accord its approval to the Bihar Cricket Association (BCA) for conducting its T20 domestic league cricket tournament (i.e. BCL), as it does not fulfil/comply the directives of the advisory and guidelines issued by the BCCI,” the board’s acting CEO Hemnag Amin had written to the state body.
The BCCI had further said that the BCA has been asked to stop BCL or be ready to face the sanctions. “In the event, BCA does not cancel the ongoing T20 tournament (i.e., BCL), the tournament will be deemed to be an ‘Unapproved Tournament’ as per BCCI’s Rules and Regulations and BCA will be liable for sanctions, as per BCCI’s Rules and Regulations,” it said.
The rules that have been violated in the process as per Article 31 of BCCI constitution are
31. BAN ON PARTICIPATION IN UNAPPROVED TOURNAMENTS
(1) No Member shall participate or extend help of any kind to an unapproved Tournament.
(2) No Player, Umpire, Scorer, Official or other person associated with the BCCI shall participate in any unapproved tournament.
(3) The Apex Council shall take appropriate action including suspension and stoppage of financial benefits and any other action against individuals / Members contravening the above.