Fast bowler Taskin Ahmed has been recognized for his dedication and performance. The Bangladesh national selectors have upgraded him to the A+ tier in the central contracts proposed for 2025, which includes 22 players.
The proposed central contract list was presented to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) directors at their meeting on February 3rd.
The draft indicates a shift towards recognizing high-performing players through a universal grading system. The board has returned to categorizing players into five groups: A+, A, B, C, and D. This replaces the previous system which was based on Test, ODI, and T20I formats.
Captains Najmul Hossain Shanto (Test and ODI), along with Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Litton Kumar Das, and veteran wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim, are placed in category A.
Category B includes experienced players like Mominul Haque, Taijul Islam, Mahmudullah, and Mustafizur Rahman, as well as emerging players Towhid Hridoy, Hasan Mahmud, and Nahid Rana.
Category C consists of 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 listed in category D.
The board has not yet finalized the central contract list. They are still discussing whether to offer contracts to Mushfiqur and Mahmudullah.
Previously, the BCB emphasized that senior players need to demonstrate strong performance to secure their positions for future selections, including the ODI World Cup. Mahmudullah has retired from Test and T20Is, focusing solely on ODIs. Mushfiqur has not yet retired from Test and ODI 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
