Bangladesh Cricket Board proposes revamped Central Contract System - Only one player in Highest Category

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has proposed a revamped central contract for 2025, featuring a universal grading system that categorizes players into five brackets - A+, A, B, C, and D.

The new structure replaces the previous format, which grouped players based on Test, ODI, and T20I formats, aiming to recognize top performers across all formats.

The draft list, presented to BCB directors on February 3, includes several key players in various categories. The A+ category, the highest tier, features top-performing cricketers. In the A category, Test and ODI captain Najmul Hossain Shanto is joined by Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Litton Kumar Das, and veteran wicketkeeper-batter Mushfiqur Rahim.

The B category comprises experienced names like Mominul Haque, Taijul Islam, Mahmudullah, and Mustafizur Rahman, alongside emerging players such as Towhid Hridoy, Hasan Mahmud, and Nahid Rana.

Soumya Sarkar, Jaker Ali Anik, Rishad Hossain have been placed in the C category. Meanwhile, left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed and pacer Khaled Ahmed have been assigned to the D category.

The contract list has not yet been finalized as BCB officials continue to deliberate over certain selections, particularly regarding the inclusion of senior players Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah, the former also announced his retirement from ODIs.

Their future in the national team remains a topic of discussion, with BCB earlier stating that performance would be the key criterion for selection in the ODI World Cup squad.

Mahmudullah has already retired from Test and T20I formats and is now concentrating solely on ODIs, while Mushfiqur continues to play across all three formats. The final list of central contracts is expected to be approved following further discussions by the board.