Dhaka’s cricket landscape shifted dramatically as the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) unveiled its central contracts for the upcoming season, delivering shocking blows to veteran pacer Taskin Ahmed and iconic wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim. Both stalwarts faced demotions, signaling a bold new era prioritizing youth and form.
In a major overhaul, no player earned the elite A+ category this time around. Taskin, the lone occupant of that grade last season, now shares A-grade status with Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, and Litton Das. This downgrade underscores the board’s ruthless assessment of recent performances amid Bangladesh’s inconsistent international showings.
The contracts span four tiers, with Grade A featuring four key players set to pocket 8 lakh Bangladeshi Taka annually. Grade A: Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Litton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Taskin Ahmed.
Grade B, paying 6 lakh Taka, boasts 11 names including the demoted Mushfiqur Rahim—whose ODI retirement appears to have cost him dearly. Joining him are Mominul Haque, Taijul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Towhid Hridoy, Shadman Islam, Tanjheed Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Mehndi Hasan, Hasan Mahmud, and Nahid Rana. Notable promotions include Shadman, Tanjheed, Rishad, and Mehndi from C to B.
Grade C, at 4 lakh Taka, includes Soumya Sarkar, Jaker Ali, Shariful Islam, Tanjim Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, and Khaled Ahmed. The entry-level Grade D, offering 2 lakh Taka, welcomes seven emerging talents: Saif Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Tanvir Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Hasan Murad, Shamim Hossain, and Nurul Hasan.
This restructuring reflects BCB’s strategy to blend experience with fresh blood, especially after recent series struggles. As Bangladesh eyes major tournaments, these contracts will shape team selections and player motivations, with demoted stars now fighting for redemption.