The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has made a significant shift in its central contract structure for the national men’s cricket team, introducing a revised pay scale for 2026 that notably omits the top-tier A-plus category. This move has led to a reshuffling of player earnings, with fast bowler Taskin Ahmed being the most prominent figure to see a change in his contract status.
Previously the sole occupant of the coveted A-plus bracket in 2025, Taskin Ahmed has now been moved to Grade A. This adjustment, while not formally explained by the board, means his monthly remuneration has been reduced. The A-plus category previously offered BDT 1 million (approximately US $8,169) per month, while Grade A now stands at BDT 800,000 (approximately US $6,535).
Contract Rejigging and Key Player Movements
The decision to eliminate the A-plus category means no player will hold this designation for 2026. Taskin Ahmed now finds himself in the same grade as several other key members of the national squad, including Test captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, ODI captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz, and T20I captain Litton Das. Despite Taskin’s consistent performances across all formats and the team management’s efforts to carefully manage his workload to ensure peak fitness, his contract value has automatically been recalibrated downwards due to the structural change.
Another notable shift sees veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahim demoted from Grade A to Grade B. Having retired from ODI cricket in 2025, Rahim will now earn BDT 600,000 (approximately US $4,901) per month. He is one of eleven players within this second-highest tier. This grade also includes Test specialists Mominul Haque and Taijul Islam, alongside Shadman Islam. Significantly, Shadman Islam is among four players who have been promoted from Grade C to Grade B. The other players making this upward move are Tanzid Hasan, Rishad Hossain, and Mahedi Hasan.
Expanding the Lower Tiers
The BCB has also opted to broaden the scope of the lower contract grades, offering more opportunities at these levels. Grade D, which previously accommodated only two players, has now expanded to include seven cricketers. This expanded list features players like Saif Hassan and Nurul Hasan, both of whom have recently been reintegrated into the T20I setup.
Players in Grade C will receive a monthly salary of BDT 400,000 (approximately US $3,267). Those in the newly expanded Grade D will earn BDT 200,000 (approximately US $1,633) per month. This expansion of the lower grades suggests a strategy to acknowledge and remunerate a wider pool of players within the national system.
Outlook and Upcoming Fixtures
This comprehensive restructuring of central contracts comes at a time when the Bangladesh national team is gearing up to resume international competition. The team is scheduled to host Pakistan for a three-match ODI series, with matches set to take place on March 12, 14, and 16. The contract overhaul signifies an administrative recalibration by the BCB, as they redefine their player remuneration hierarchy for the upcoming year, leaving the once-exclusive A-plus designation vacant for the time being.
The full breakdown of the 2026 Bangladesh Central Contracts is as follows:
2026 Bangladesh Central Contracts
Grade A:
- Najmul Hossain Shanto
- Mehidy Hasan Miraz
- Litton Das
- Taskin Ahmed
Grade B:
- Mushfiqur Rahim
- Mominul Haque
- Taijul Islam
- Mustafizur Rahman
- Towhid Hridoy
- Shadman Islam
- Tanzid Hasan
- Rishad Hossain
- Mahedi Hasan
- Hasan Mahmud
- Nahid Rana
Grade C:
- Soumya Sarkar
- Jaker Ali
- Shoriful Islam
- Tanzim Hasan
- Nasum Ahmed
- Khaled Ahmed
Grade D:
- Saif Hassan
- Parvez Hossain Emon
- Tanvir Islam
- Nayeem Hasan
- Hasan Murad
- Shamim Hossain
- Nurul Hasan
