The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is set to implement a significant overhaul of the central contract framework for the national men’s team ahead of the 2026 season. The board has decided to abolish the ‘A Plus’ category, previously the highest tier in the central contract system. According to sources within the BCB, the move comes in response to the absence of players consistently featuring across all three international formats—Test, One-Day International (ODI), and T20. This change is more than a mere financial adjustment; it reflects a shift in player management aligned with contemporary international cricket realities.
The BCB’s Cricket Operations Committee has already prepared a draft list of central contract players for 2026. Initially, 27 cricketers are proposed for inclusion under the new framework. While the final list and salary structure await formal approval, it is confirmed that the A Plus category will no longer exist in the coming season.
In 2025, the BCB introduced a comprehensive reform of its central contracts. Previously, separate grades existed for each format; these were replaced with a unified five-tier system: A Plus, A, B, C, and D. The A Plus tier had been reserved for highly experienced players who regularly represented Bangladesh across all formats. However, no current player consistently meets that criterion, prompting the board to take this pragmatic step.
A senior BCB official clarified that the removal of the A Plus category is not punitive but a practical adjustment. “In modern international cricket, format-specific specialisation and careful workload management have become crucial,” the official explained. “It is natural that fewer players now feature regularly in all three formats.”
The proposed contract list also highlights a generational transition. Veteran all-rounder Mahmudullah, a contracted player until February 2025, has retired from international cricket and is absent from the new list. Nevertheless, 21 players retained their contracts from last year, signalling continuity in team selection.
Six new players have been added, underscoring the board’s focus on expanding the core squad. These include promising limited-overs batsmen Shamim Hossain Patwari and Parvez Hossain Emon, all-rounder Saif Hasan, off-spinner Naeem Hasan, left-arm spinner Tanvir Islam, and pacer Hasan Murad. Regular contracted players continue to include captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, Liton Kumar Das, Taskin Ahmed, Mehedi Hasan Miraz, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Mominul Haque, blending experience with youth.
Proposed Central Contract Summary (2026)
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Players | 27 |
| A Plus Category | Abolished in 2026 |
| Contract Tiers | A, B, C, D |
| Newly Included | 6 |
| Retained from Previous Year | 21 |
| Notable Exits | Mahmudullah (retired) |
Once formally approved, the revised contract structure is expected to have a major impact on team selection, player rotation, and workload management. It also signals that Bangladesh cricket is gradually adapting to the evolving demands of modern international competition, prioritising specialised roles over blanket multi-format participation.