The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced the list of 28 cricketers included in the national players’ contract for the year 2026. Surprisingly, the coveted A+ category has no players this year, unlike last year when Pacer Taskin Ahmed held that top spot. Taskin Ahmed has been downgraded to Category A, joining Test captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, ODI skipper Mehidy Hasan Miraz, and T20I captain Litton Das, all receiving a monthly salary of Tk 8,00,000.
Seven new players have been introduced to this year’s contract, including T20I vice-captain Saif Hassan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Tanvir Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Hasan Murad, Shamim Hossain, and Nurul Hasan Sohan, all placed in Category D with a salary grade of Tk 2,00,000.
Last year’s contract featured 22 players, with Mahmudullah Riyad opting for a contract only until February 2025.
Test opener Shadman Islam has been elevated from Category C to B, along with Rishad Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, and Tanzid Hasan Tamim. Category B, offering a salary grade of Tk 6,00,000, has the highest number of players this year, including seasoned players like Mushfiqur Rahim, Taijul Islam, and Mominul Haque.
Pacer Khaled Ahmed has been promoted from Category D to C, with a salary grade of Tk 400,000.
The prestigious Category A+, with a salary grade of Tk 10,00,000, remains unoccupied in this year’s contract announcement.