BCB announces 2026 central contracts; Taskin Ahmed, Mushfiqur Rahim demoted

The Bangladesh Cricket Board has announced its central contracts for 2026, with two of the country’s most experienced cricketers, Taskin Ahmed and Mushfiqur Rahim, moved down in the grading ladder.

Taskin, who was the only player in the top A+ category in 2025, has been demoted to Grade A this year. Last season, the fast bowler earned BDT 1 million per month as part of the elite bracket, but the BCB has scrapped the A+ category altogether for 2026. As a result, Taskin now sits alongside Test skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto, ODI captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz and T20I captain Litton Das, in the now-highest tier.

Players in Grade A earn BDT 800,000 per month, roughly USD 6,535, marking a noticeable reduction from Taskin’s previous contract. The decision has raised questions, especially given his strong performances and careful workload management by the team management to keep him effective across formats. The BCB has not clarified the reasoning behind his demotion.

Mushfiqur Rahim has also seen his contract status change. The veteran batter, who retired from ODI cricket in 2025, has been shifted from Grade A to Grade B. Under the new structure, he will earn BDT 600,000 per month, approximately USD 4,901. He is one of eleven players placed in this category, which includes Test specialists Mominul Haque, Taijul Islam and opener Shadman Islam.

Shadman is also among four players who have earned promotions from Grade C to Grade B. Tanzid Hasan, Rishad Hossain and Mahedi Hasan join him after progressing through the ranks over the past year.

The BCB has expanded the Grade D list as well. Only two players featured in this category last year, but seven cricketers now fall into the lowest bracket for 2026. Among them are Saif Hassan and Nurul Hasan, both of whom returned to the T20I setup in 2025. Players in Grade C receive BDT 400,000 per month, while those in Grade D earn BDT 200,000 monthly.

Bangladesh’s international calendar has been relatively quiet at the start of the year following the government’s decision not to send the team to the ongoing T20 World Cup. The men’s side will return to action with a three-match ODI series against Pakistan at home, with the matches scheduled for March 12, 14 and 16.

2026 Bangladesh Central Contracts

Grade A: Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Litton Das, Taskin Ahmed

Grade B: Mushfiqur Rahim, Mominul Haque, Taijul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Towhid Hridoy, Shadman Islam, Tanzid Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana

Grade C: Soumya Sarkar, Jaker Ali, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Khaled Ahmed

Grade D: Saif Hassan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Tanvir Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Hasan Murad, Shamim Hossain, Nurul Hasan

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