Bangladeshi cricketers Litton Das, Mominul Haque and Yasir Rabbi are facing an unexpected financial setback, with their bat sponsorship deals reportedly set to be terminated by Indian sports equipment giant SG.
Bat sponsorships form a crucial revenue stream for professional cricketers, especially for international players outside the sport’s richest boards. However, for Bangladeshi players, off-field earnings have always been limited and the situation now appears to be worsening.
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According to a report by Telecom Asia Sport, SG has decided to end its sponsorship agreements with multiple Bangladeshi cricketers. While an official announcement is yet to be made, sources indicate the decision has already been finalised, turning an ongoing diplomatic dispute into a direct commercial blow for players.
Litton Kumar Das, former Test captain Mominul Haque and Yasir Rabbi are the most prominent names expected to be affected. One player, speaking anonymously, revealed that although SG has not formally communicated the decision, strong signals from player agents suggest the contracts will not be renewed.
“It looks like that is likely to be the case in the coming days,” the player told the publication.
The development comes amid a sharp deterioration in cricketing relations between Bangladesh and India. It began with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) refusing to allow Mustafizur Rahman to participate in the IPL, which led to his release from Kolkata Knight Riders. This was followed by Bangladesh raising security concerns over travel to India for the T20 World Cup and the suspension of IPL broadcasts within the country.
What was once a dispute centred on logistics and security has now begun to impact players financially.
Growing fear among Bangladeshi cricketers
Industry insiders believe SG’s move could set a dangerous precedent. With Indian companies dominating Bangladesh’s cricket equipment and sponsorship market, there are concerns that other manufacturers may follow suit.
Sareen Sports Industries (SS), another major Indian brand, currently sponsors players such as Mushfiqur Rahim, Sabbir Rahman and Nasir Hossain. Any withdrawal from SS or similar brands could have severe implications for players who depend heavily on endorsement income to sustain their careers.
“I think other manufacturers might also opt not to sponsor our cricketers,” said a source involved in player representation.
Despite the growing anxiety, the BCB has distanced itself from the controversy, maintaining that sponsorship agreements are private matters between players and their commercial partners. For many Bangladeshi cricketers, however, the silence only deepens the uncertainty surrounding their financial future.
