The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has introduced a revamped central contract system for 2025, aimed at recognizing top performers across all formats of the game. The newly proposed structure features a universal grading system with players categorized into five tiers: A+, A, B, C, and D. This marks a departure from the previous format, which grouped players based on their performance in Test, ODI, and T20I formats.
Taskin Ahmed in Elite A+ Category
Fast bowler Taskin Ahmed has been placed in the A+ category, the highest tier, as a recognition of his exceptional performances. The A category includes Test and ODI captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Litton Kumar Das, and the experienced wicketkeeper-batter Mushfiqur Rahim.
Balanced Roster in B and C Categories
The B category features seasoned players such as Mominul Haque, Taijul Islam, Mahmudullah, and Mustafizur Rahman, alongside emerging talents like Towhid Hridoy, Hasan Mahmud, and Nahid Rana. The C category highlights players like Soumya Sarkar, Jaker Ali Anik, and Shoriful Islam, reflecting a blend of experience and promising potential. Nasum Ahmed and Khaled Ahmed have been placed in the D category.
Uncertainties Surround Senior Players
The contract list is yet to be finalized, with ongoing deliberations about the inclusion of senior players like Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah. While Mushfiqur continues to play across all three formats, he recently retired from ODIs. Mahmudullah has already stepped away from Test and T20I cricket to focus solely on ODIs. BCB has emphasized that performance will remain the primary criterion for selection in future squads, including the ODI World Cup team.
BCB’s Proposed Central Contract Categories
| Category | Players |
|---|---|
| A+ | Taskin Ahmed |
| A | Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Litton Kumar Das, Mushfiqur Rahim |
| B | Mominul Haque, Taijul Islam, Mahmudullah, Mustafizur Rahman, Towhid Hridoy, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana |
| C | Sadman Islam, Soumya Sarkar, Jaker Ali Anik, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Shoriful Islam, Rishad Hossain, Tanjim Hasan Sakib, Mahedi Hasan |
| D | Nasum Ahmed, Khaled Ahmed |
This proposed system reflects BCB’s commitment to rewarding top performers while ensuring consistency across formats. The final list of central contracts is expected to be approved following further discussions among board officials.
