What was intended as a star-studded celebration of sportsmanship in the run-up to the World Cup descended into a scene of total insanity on Friday night. The Bangladesh Celebrity Cricket League (CCL) was abruptly cancelled before the semi-final stage after a group-stage encounter between filmmakers Mostafa Kamal Raz and Dipankar Dipon turned into a full-fledged physical clash.
The Trigger: A Boundary Dispute
The friction was over a dispute over a controversial umpiring decision involving a boundary. Eyewitnesses reported that a passionate verbal exchange broke out that pitted the two camps when a crucial "four" was denied. The dispute escalated rapidly from sledging to physical violence, and 30-plus-year-old male and female celebrities pushing, punching and also using cricket bats and chairs as weapons, he says.
Casualties and Allegations
The brawl's aftermath was harsh, as six celebrities were taken to the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (NITOR) for treatment. We know the injured are Shishir Sardar, Raj Ripa, Joy Chaudhry, Atiq Rehman, Sheikh Shuvo and Ashiq Jahid.
- Raj Ripa’s Claims: The actress Raj Ripa appeared in a viral video, tearfully accusing filmmaker Mostafa Kamal Raz and actor Shariful Razz of physical assault. She also accused the management of match-fixing.
- Involving the Outsiders: Members of Dipankar Dipon’s team alleged that opponents brought in “outsiders” with the intent to attack them during the turmoil, making this indoor stadium a ground of war.
Tournament Abandoned
In the aftermath of violence, the league’s organizers said that the 2023 season would be permanently scrapped. Although the tournament was intended to “ignite cricket fever,” it shattered the industry and disappointed fans.
