BPL 2015: Controversy erupts ahead of Chittagong Vikings - Sylhet Superstars clash

Vikings captain Tamim Iqbal was made to wait for 25 minutes before the toss took place

Even before a ball was bowled in the third match of the Bangladesh Premier League, between Chittagong Vikings and Sylhet Superstars, controversy erupted as the toss was delayed by 25 minutes as Superstars captain Mushifqur Rahim didn’t turn up, reports ESPN Cricinfo.

Rahim, who eventually won the toss and chose to field, was late as two Superstars’ players did not have No Objection Certificate (NOC). Bangladesh Premier League’s technical committee chairman Jalal Yunus told ESPN Cricinfo: “We have been telling them for the last 7 days but they haven’t complied.”

The two players in question, were Joshua Cobb and Ravi Bopara, who weren’t on the original team sheets given by each captain at the toss. But, by the time play was set to begin, the Bangladesh Cricket Board received the NOCs and so they were allowed to play.

Just when it looked as though everything was sorted and the hosts started warming up, the Vikings batsmen did not come out to bat. Tamim Iqbal, who was not informed about Cobb and Bopara’s inclusion in the playing XI was furious as the team that was out in the middle wasn’t the same as the one given to him at the toss.

In the end, neither player was in the XI that started the match for the Superstars, which finally began once the Vikings openers came out to bat.

Reason for delay: BPL weren't allowing two Sylhet players to take the field because "they didn't have relevant NOC papers".

— Mohammad Isam (@Isam84) November 23, 2015

Tamim and Akram are having heated discussion with BPL technical committee chairman Jalal Yunus and BCB CEO Nizamuddin near the boundary

— Mohammad Isam (@Isam84) November 23, 2015

Ctg's refusal to play was due to discrepancy in Sylhet XI. At toss there was no Cobb and Bopara in their list but they took the field

— Mohammad Isam (@Isam84) November 23, 2015

Tamim protested their inclusion. BCB apparently gave the two clearance to play, but it wasn't informed to Tamim and Ctg Vikings.

— Mohammad Isam (@Isam84) November 23, 2015

Sylhet Superstars were wrongful but I am shocked at their captain. As someone so disciplined and correct, how can he let this happen?

— Mohammad Isam (@Isam84) November 23, 2015

Absolute shocker from the BPL authorities.

— Mohammad Isam (@Isam84) November 23, 2015