Talented pace bowler Taskin Ahmed has been recognized for his consistent effort and dedication. The Bangladesh national selection committee has promoted him to the A+ category in their proposed central contracts for 2025. This contract list includes 22 players.
The proposed contract list was presented to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) directors during their meeting on February 3rd.
The new contract structure sees a return to a universal grading system. Players are now categorized into five tiers: A+, A, B, C, and D. This replaces the previous system which separated players by Test, ODI, and T20I formats.
Key players like Test and ODI captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Litton Kumar Das, and experienced wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim are placed in category A.
Category B includes seasoned players such as Mominul Haque, Taijul Islam, Mahmudullah, and Mustafizur Rahman, along with emerging talents Towhid Hridoy, Hasan Mahmud, and Nahid Rana.
The C category features players like Shadman Islam, Soumya Sarkar, Jaker Ali Anik, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Shoriful Islam, Rishad Hossain, Tanjim Hasan Sakib, and Mahedi Hasan.
Left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed and fast bowler Khaled Ahmed are placed in the D category.
The BCB has not immediately approved the contract list. There were discussions regarding whether Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah should be offered contracts at all.
Previously, the BCB stated that senior players like Mushfiqur and Mahmudullah needed to prove their performance to secure their place for future selections, including the ODI World Cup. Mahmudullah has retired from Test and T20Is and is focused only on ODIs, while Mushfiqur has not yet retired from the longer formats.
Proposed Central Contract Categories for 2025:
A+ Category: Taskin Ahmed
A Category: Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Litton Kumar Das, Mushfiqur Rahim
B Category: Mominul Haq, Taijul Islam, Mahmudullah, Mustafizur Rahman, Towhid Hridoy, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana
C Category: Sadman Islam, Soumya Sarkar, Jaker Ali Anik, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Shoriful Islam, Rishad Hossain, Tanjim Hasan Sakib, Mahedi Hasan
D Category: Nasum Ahmed, Khaled Ahmed
