The Bangladesh Cricket Board has dropped a bombshell with its latest central contract announcements, sidelining seasoned campaigners Taskin Ahmed and Mushfiqur Rahim in a clear push towards regeneration. Fast bowler Taskin plummets from A+ glory, while Mushfiqur’s post-ODI retirement form sees him relegated to Grade B.
Gone is the A+ category entirely, a stark contrast to last year’s setup where Taskin reigned supreme. He now rubs shoulders in Grade A with captaincy contenders Najmul Hossain Shanto, all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz, and keeper Litton Das—each earning 8 lakh BDT.
Spreading the net wider, Grade B lists 11 players at 6 lakh BDT: Mominul Haque, Taijul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Mushfiqur Rahim, Towhid Hridoy, Shadman Islam, Tanjheed Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Mehndi Hasan, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana. Promotions reward rising stars like Shadman from Grade C.
Mid-tier Grade C (4 lakh BDT) features Soumya Sarkar, Jaker Ali, Shariful Islam, Tanjim Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Khaled Ahmed. Grade D (2 lakh BDT) introduces seven prospects: Saif Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Tanvir Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Hasan Murad, Shamim Hossain, Nurul Hasan.
Full breakdown:
Grade A: Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Litton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Taskin Ahmed.
Grade B: Mominul Haque, Taijul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Mushfiqur Rahim, Towhid Hridoy, Shadman Islam, Tanjheed Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Mehndi Hasan, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana.
Grade C: Soumya Sarkar, Jaker Ali, Shariful Islam, Tanjim Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Khaled Ahmed.
Grade D: Saif Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Tanvir Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Hasan Murad, Shamim Hossain, Nurul Hasan.
As Bangladesh navigates a transitional phase, these contracts spotlight the board’s faith in youth, challenging veterans to reclaim their spots through sheer performance.