BCB Drops Top Contract Tier

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is set to remove the A+ category from its central contracts for the men’s national team, citing a shortage of players who meet the criteria of being regular across all three international formats. The decision marks a notable shift in the board’s remuneration structure and reflects the evolving composition of Bangladesh’s senior squad.

According to officials familiar with the process, the BCB’s Cricket Operations Committee has prepared a provisional list of 27 cricketers to be offered central contracts for the 2026 season. While the list and the revised pay structure are yet to receive final approval from the board, it is understood that the highest A+ tier—introduced only recently—will not feature in the upcoming cycle.

In 2025, the BCB overhauled its central contract framework by abandoning the traditional format-based grading system (Test, ODI and T20I) in favour of five unified categories: A+, A, B, C and D. The A+ category was reserved for players who were not only senior figures but also regular selections in all three formats. However, officials now concede that no current Bangladesh cricketer satisfies that requirement.

A senior official closely involved with the board’s development programmes explained that the absence of an A+ tier this year is a pragmatic choice rather than a punitive one. With the national side increasingly rotating players based on format specialisation and workload management, the era of consistent three-format regulars appears to be waning.

The forthcoming list also reflects a generational transition. Veteran all-rounder Mahmudullah, who remained under central contract until February 2025, will not feature after announcing his retirement from international cricket. The remaining 21 players from last year’s list have retained their places, underlining a degree of continuity amid structural change.

Six players have been added to the central contract pool, signalling the board’s intent to broaden its core group and reward emerging performers. Among the newcomers are Shamim Hossain Patwari and Parvez Hossain Emon, both seen as limited-overs prospects, alongside Saif Hassan, spinner Nayeem Hasan, left-arm spinner Tanvir Islam and pace bowler Hasan Murad.

The expanded list includes established names such as Najmul Hossain Shanto, Liton Kumar Das, Taskin Ahmed, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mominul Haque, as well as a growing cohort of younger players who are being groomed for long-term roles.

Central Contract Overview (Provisional)

Once formally approved, the revised contracts are expected to shape selection priorities and workload management strategies ahead of a demanding international calendar, while also signalling the BCB’s acknowledgement of a more specialised, format-driven era in Bangladesh cricket.