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BPL Team Noakhali Express assistant coach's identity doubtful, BCB launches investigation

Rajgeeta Yadav

BPL Team Noakhali Express assistant coach under probe [Source: @t20tracker/X.com]BPL Team Noakhali Express assistant coach under probe [Source: @t20tracker/X.com]

Bangladesh Premier League team Noakhali Express are facing an unexpected issue after questions were raised about the identity of assistant coach Niaz Khan. The Bangladesh Cricket Board’s Integrity Unit has stepped in and started an investigation following a report published in a local English newspaper on December 31.

BCB Integrity unit steps in after media report

BCB president Aminul Islam confirmed on Wednesday that a member of the Noakhali Express team management is currently under observation by the Integrity Unit. His statement came after the Daily Sun report pointed directly to assistant coach Niaz Khan and questioned the accuracy of his professional claims.

According to the report, Niaz had said that he worked with the Afghanistan national cricket team during Asia Cup. This claim drew attention when officials from the ACB were contacted for verification and clearly denied any such involvement. This denial raised serious doubts and pushed the matter into deeper scrutiny.

Cricbuzz later reported that the investigation is ongoing, with confirmation from BCB president Aminul Islam. 

"They (BCB integrity Unit) is well aware about the development (regarding the news of Noakhali Express assistant coach) and working on it," Aminul Islam said.

"Its confidential so I cannot disclose much but they (BCB integrity Unit) is well aware about this (regarding the movement of Niaz)," he said.

Bangladesh media reports repeated that the ACB’s denial played a key role in triggering the probe. Following this, the BCB Integrity Unit intensified its review to check the authenticity of Niaz’s past roles and connections.

BPL officials reiterate zero-tolerance on integrity issues

Mahin M Rahman, legal head and counsel of the BCB Integrity Unit, told Cricbuzz that the case is officially under live investigation.

"I got confirmation from my head (Alex Marshall) that this (movement of Niaz) is already under a live investigation," said Mahin adding that he is well aware Niaz worked with Dhaka Capitals during the previous season.

"Yes, I know that (Niaz was with Dhaka Capitals) and there are some more connections here as well," he said without elaborating further.

Later in the day, BPL Governing Council member secretary Iftekhar Rahman addressed the issue while speaking to reporters at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.

"We take every issue very seriously," he said. "That is why we have put pressure on teams on two clear points as player payments must be made and that integrity must be maintained," said Iftekhar.

"Because of that zero tolerance, you are seeing things like teams withdrawing even after being awarded a franchise. That has been painful for us," he said.

For now, Niaz Khan remains a major topic of discussion in Sylhet. The next step will depend on the findings of the Integrity Unit’s investigation. Once the review is complete, the BCB is expected to decide whether disciplinary action, suspension, or clearance will follow, which could have a direct impact on Noakhali Express and the ongoing BPL season.