The DPL is all set to start from March 1. © Getty

The Bangladesh Cricket Board said on Saturday (February 16) said that they have introduced a new clause in the players draft for the upcoming edition of Dhaka Premier League to stop non-payment issues that has often caused embarrassment for them. Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis is scheduled to host the players draft on February 18 retaining the controversial players by choice system, while they are planning to start the DPL- country's prestigious club based 50-over tournament from March 1.

Since CCDM re-introduced the controversial player-by-choice transfer system in 2017 shelving the players transfer process that was used earlier where clubs picked players of their choice by mutual agreement, it also had its share of controversies with non-payment issues.

Clubs wanted the return of the players-by-choice process for DPL in 2017 due to exorbitant payment demanded by the top players after they were approached for traditional players transfer system. BCB was forced to re-introduce the players-by-choice system but along the way it also became the guarantor on behalf of the clubs if any non-payment issues arise.

While clubs are looking to form their squad for the upcoming edition of DPL, it was quite surprising to see some of the cricketers from Kalabagan Krira Chakra that was demoted last year, roaming hopelessly in several groups in and around the BCB premises for their payment for the previous season.

''We are informed that we will be cleared by tomorrow but I am not sure how much we will receive,'' Kalabagan's left-arm spinner Nabil Samad told reporters at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Saturday. "We will come tomorrow and only then can we say where we stand but if we are not cleared tomorrow than it will be difficult for us to get back our dues as everyone will get busy with the upcoming edition of the league,'' he added.

Towhid Mahmud, CCDM in-charge informed Cricbuzz that they are hoping to clear the non-payment issues soon while revealing the new law that is all set to be introduced in the players draft from the upcoming edition of DPL.

''In the board meeting we have decided that before draft they [clubs] have to clear all the payment,'' said Towhid. ''There were two teams- Brothers Union and Kalabagan Krira Chakra with payment issues. While Brothers cleared their payments we have informed the other team that they have to clear all the payment and send us the evidence of clearing the dues by February 17 as we are scheduled to host the players transfer on February 18,'' he confirmed.

''Naturally BCB is the guarantor and so if the club don't clear it by the end of the deadline we will inform it to the board and a decision in this regard will be taken there after."

According to CCDM in-charge, BCB introduced the new clause just to make sure they don't have to face similar embarrassments in future.

''In the new draft we have included a clause that suggest if the clubs failed to clear the payment by our deadline BCB reserve the rights to take action against the team including docking points and suspension from the league,'' Towhid noted.

''We have discussed about it in the meeting and inserted the clause on written basis in the draft policy rules."

According to CCDM, the participating clubs can retain a maximum of three players. After the players' draft, clubs can release eight players on the basis of mutual understanding. Any foreign player will be considered a free player. Any team can purchase him but each team will be allowed to field only one player.

This season there will be no icon players while there will be several categories beginning with A+, A, B+,B, C+, C along D. Each team will have to pick eight players from the draft while the clubs have no bindings as far as calling from a certain category is concerned.