BCB Expands Central Contracts in 2026: Bangladesh Cricket Board Unveils Record 28-Player List

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced its largest-ever men’s central contract list for 2026, marking a significant shift in how the board manages and supports national players. With 28 cricketers included across four salary grades, the new contract structure reflects the board’s intention to widen its safety net and strengthen the national cricket pipeline.

The move comes at a time when Bangladesh cricket is undergoing transition, with a mix of experienced players and emerging talents competing for consistency on the international stage. By expanding the number of centrally contracted players, the BCB aims to ensure greater stability for athletes while also building a broader talent pool for future competitions.

Record Number of Players in Central Contracts

According to the announcement, the 2026 central contract list includes 28 players, the largest in the history of Bangladesh cricket’s contract system. The contracts are divided into four active grades, each offering different monthly salaries and reflecting the players’ roles and performance levels in the national setup.

Interestingly, the board has chosen not to place any player in the top A+ category, which normally carries the highest salary bracket. This decision has drawn attention from analysts, who see it as a reflection of the board’s current strategy to prioritize team balance rather than focusing on individual star contracts.

The expanded structure indicates that the BCB is trying to create more opportunities for both established and emerging players to remain part of the national system.

Grade A Players: Core of Bangladesh Cricket

At the top of the active contract structure is Grade A, which includes four key players:

• Najmul Hossain Shanto
• Mehidy Hasan Miraz
• Litton Das
• Taskin Ahmed

Each of these cricketers will receive a monthly salary of Tk8 lakh under the contract system.

These players represent the backbone of the Bangladesh national team across formats. Their consistent performances and leadership roles have made them crucial figures in Bangladesh’s international campaigns.

Najmul Hossain Shanto, Test captain, who has taken on leadership responsibilities in recent years, is seen as a central figure in shaping the team’s future. Meanwhile, Mehidy Hasan Miraz continues to play a vital role as an all-rounder and leading the ODI side and T20 captain Litton Das remains one of the country’s most technically skilled batters. Taskin Ahmed, on the other hand, has established himself as a leading pace bowler for Bangladesh.

Strong Presence in Grade B

The Grade B category features several experienced and influential players in Bangladesh cricket, including veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahim, who leads the group.

Other players in this category include:

• Mominul Haque
• Taijul Islam
• Mustafizur Rahman
• Towhid Hridoy
• Shadman Islam
• Tanzid Hasan Tamim
• Rishad Hossain
• Mahedi Hasan
• Hasan Mahmud
• Nahid Rana

Players in this category will earn Tk6 lakh per month, reflecting their importance to the national team while acknowledging a broader distribution of contracts across the squad.

The inclusion of both seasoned performers and rising talents in this category shows the BCB’s effort to maintain continuity while encouraging the next generation.

Emerging Players in Grade C

The Grade C contract list highlights players who are still developing their positions in the national side. This group includes:

• Soumya Sarkar
• Jaker Ali
• Shoriful Islam
• Tanzim Hasan Sakib
• Nasum Ahmed
• Khaled Ahmed

These players will receive Tk4 lakh per month, reflecting their role as key contributors who may not yet be among the core leadership group but remain important to Bangladesh’s cricket structure.

Many of these cricketers have shown promising performances in recent matches, and their inclusion indicates the board’s confidence in their long-term potential.

New Faces and Returning Players in Grade D

The final category, Grade D, includes seven players who will receive Tk2 lakh per month. This group represents a mix of new entrants and returning players to the central contract system.

Players in this category include:

• Saif Hassan
• Parvez Hossain Emon
• Tanvir Islam
• Nayeem Hasan
• Hasan Murad
• Shamim Hossain
• Nurul Hasan

Notably, Saif Hassan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Hasan Murad, and Tanvir Islam are receiving central contracts for the first time. Meanwhile, Nayeem Hasan, Shamim Hossain, and Nurul Hasan have returned to the list after previously being part of the system.

This combination reflects the BCB’s strategy of nurturing new talent while maintaining experienced players within the national structure.

Why the BCB Expanded the Contract List

The decision to include a record number of players in central contracts highlights a broader shift in Bangladesh cricket administration. Several key reasons explain this move:

1. Strengthening the Talent Pipeline

Bangladesh has been focusing on building a deeper bench strength to compete consistently across all formats of international cricket.

2. Supporting Emerging Cricketers

By offering contracts to more players, the BCB provides financial stability that allows cricketers to focus fully on their professional careers.

3. Preparing for Future International Challenges

With major tournaments and international series ahead, the board wants to ensure a wider pool of players ready for selection.

4. Recognizing Domestic Performances

Many of the players included have impressed in domestic competitions and Bangladesh Premier League matches, making them worthy of central contracts.

Impact on Bangladesh Cricket

The expanded central contract system could have several long-term effects on the development of cricket in Bangladesh.

First, it helps maintain a professional structure where players feel secure about their careers. Second, it encourages competition within the squad, as more players are given opportunities to prove themselves. Third, it strengthens the domestic-to-international pathway, allowing emerging talents to gradually transition into the national team.

Analysts believe that this inclusive approach could improve team performance over time, particularly if young players are given consistent exposure and support.

The Absence of an A+ Category

One of the most discussed aspects of the announcement is the absence of players in the A+ category, which usually carries the highest salary of Tk10 lakh per month.

This decision may indicate that the board wants to avoid creating a significant gap between players or that no individual was considered above the rest in terms of current form and performance.

It also reflects a collective team-building approach, where the focus remains on overall squad strength rather than individual prominence.

A New Phase for Bangladesh Cricket

The 2026 central contract announcement signals an important phase for Bangladesh cricket. By widening the contract base and including more players, the BCB appears committed to long-term development rather than short-term fixes.

As Bangladesh prepares for upcoming international tournaments and bilateral series, this strategy could help the national team remain competitive on the global stage.

With experienced leaders, promising newcomers, and a structured contract system, Bangladesh cricket is positioning itself for a more stable and sustainable future.

The coming years will reveal whether this expanded approach can translate into stronger performances and consistent success in international cricket.