The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has released its central contracts list for 2025, and fast bowler Taskin Ahmed stands alone at the top. This year, the BCB has shifted from a format-based salary structure to a grade-based system, aiming to better reward players, particularly those specializing in Test cricket.

Taskin Ahmed, the lone player in Grade A+, will receive BDT 1 million (approximately USD 8,200) per month. He was previously in the white-ball-only category. This change in policy reflects the BCB's commitment to valuing players based on their overall contributions rather than just the formats they play.

Key Changes in the BCB Contracts:

The switch to a grade-based system is designed to address previous shortcomings in rewarding Test specialists.

• Grade A: Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Litton Das, and Mushfiqur Rahim are in Grade A, earning BDT 800,000 (around USD 6,600) monthly.
• Grade B: Mominul Haque, Taijul Islam, Mahmudullah, Mustafizur Rahman, Towhid Hridoy, Hasan Mahmud, and Nahid Rana are in Grade B, with a salary of BDT 600,000 (approximately USD 4,900) per month.
• Newcomers: Jaker Ali, Tanzid Hasan, and Rishad Hossain received contracts in Grade C, earning BDT 400,000 (around USD 3,300) each month.

Notable Absences and Returns:

Mahmudullah requested not to be considered for a central contract after February 2025.

Soumya Sarkar and Shadman Islam make a comeback to the central contracts, after missing since 2021 and 2022, respectively.

Shakib Al Hasan, Zakir Hasan, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Naeem Hasan, and Nurul Hasan, who had contracts last year, are not on the list this time.

The new contract structure indicates BCB's effort to strengthen their cricket system and provide more competitive remuneration.

2025 Bangladesh Central Contracts Breakdown:

• Grade A+: Taskin Ahmed
• Grade A: Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Litton Das, Mushfiqur Rahim
• Grade B: Mominul Haque, Taijul Islam, Mahmudullah, Mustafizur Rahman, Towhid Hridoy, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana
• Grade C: Shadman Islam, Soumya Sarkar, Jaker Ali, Tanzid Hasan, Shoriful Islam, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan, Mahedi Hasan
• Grade D: Nasum Ahmed, Khaled Ahmed

This new structure shows that the BCB is evolving and adapting to the changing needs of its players, ensuring a more balanced and competitive environment in the future.