The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced its 2026 central contracts list, headlined by the demotion of Taskin Ahmed and Mushfiqur Rahim and the absence of any player in the prestigious A+ category.
Taskin, who was the sole cricketer in the A+ bracket in 2025 with a monthly salary of BDT 1 million, has now been moved down to Grade A. He joins the three national captains — Najmul Hossain Shanto (Test), Mehidy Hasan Miraz (ODI) and Litton Das (T20I) — in the second-highest category, which offers BDT 800,000 per month. The decision comes despite Taskin’s consistent performances across formats, though team management has carefully managed his workload in recent seasons.
Veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahim has been further demoted to Grade B after retiring from ODIs in 2025. Players in Grade B will earn BDT 600,000 per month. The group includes experienced names such as Mominul Haque and Taijul Islam, along with several emerging talents.
Grade C features six players earning BDT 400,000 monthly, while Grade D has expanded to seven players this year, each receiving BDT 200,000 per month. The reshuffle reflects a broader structural adjustment within Bangladesh cricket as the board reassesses player roles and long-term planning.
Bangladesh are set to return to international action with a three-match ODI series against Pakistan at home in mid-March, following a quiet start to the year. The new contracts signal a transitional phase for the national side, with leadership stability at the top but a notable recalibration of senior players’ standing within the system.