Durbar Rajshahi has been at the center of controversy throughout this season’s BPL, making headlines for all the wrong reasons. As the tournament progressed, issues surrounding the franchise only deepened. Unpaid player salaries, training boycotts, foreign players refusing to play matches, bounced checks, and several other disputes plagued the team. Even after the BPL concluded, uncertainty loomed over the departure of foreign players due to unpaid dues.
More than the on-field performances of the players, Rajshahi’s owner, Shafiqul Rahman, remained in the spotlight. He is the Managing Director (MD) of Valentine Group, a business organization with limited online presence.
Valentine Group is involved in the real estate business. According to its website, the company has records of several projects, including Haji Camp in Uttara, the Milon Auditorium at Dhaka Medical College, and the fountain at Bijoy Sarani.
The company is reportedly one of the key decision-makers within REHAB (Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh). However, Valentine Group or any of its subsidiaries are absent from the list of members on REHAB’s website. Additionally, the company’s Facebook page has had no updates in the past decade. According to the company’s website, Shafiqul Rahman holds the position of Managing Director.
Rajshahi’s Owner Taken into Law Enforcement Custody
Due to the salary dispute, BPL Cricket Advisor Asif Mahmud had a meeting with the Rajshahi owner, during which an assurance was given that all outstanding payments would be cleared by February 2. However, this deadline was missed.
As a result, the Ministry of Youth and Sports had to intervene. In the early hours of February 3, law enforcement authorities took Rajshahi’s owner, Shafiqul Rahman, into custody. During this time, he admitted his fault and committed to clearing all dues in three installments—on February 3, 7, and 10, 2025—at a 25% rate per installment.
Additionally, he assured that not only players but all individuals associated with the team would receive their payments in each installment. He also agreed to face any legal consequences if he failed to fulfill this commitment. The Ministry of Youth and Sports confirmed these details in an official statement.
