Tag: Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB)

DHAKA: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), under its newly formed ad-hoc committee headed by Tamim Iqbal, has approved a significant increase in domestic match fees and monthly salaries, with a particular focus on improving earnings in women’s cricket.

The decision marks the first major policy move by the Tamim-led committee since it became operational earlier this week, signalling an early intent to reform player compensation structures across the board.

The revised package comes after the committee discovered that women cricketers in domestic one-day competitions had been earning as little as BDT 1,000 per match in previous years, a figure that was later marginally increased but still widely regarded as insufficient.

Under the new structure, women players will now earn BDT 10,000 per T20 match, BDT 15,000 for 50-over games, and BDT 20,000 for first-class fixtures.

In addition, the monthly salary for the top 36 women cricketers has been raised from BDT 30,000 to BDT 40,000.

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While acknowledging that the revised payments are still not ideal, Tamim Iqbal reportedly stressed that the move represents a necessary and meaningful step forward within existing financial constraints.

The committee has also implemented a parallel revision for men’s domestic cricket. Players in Category A will now receive BDT 65,000 per month, while Category B and C players will earn BDT 50,000 and BDT 40,000 respectively. First-class match fees for men have also been increased from BDT 70,000 to BDT 100,000.

The changes will officially come into effect from January 1, 2026.

Tamim highlighted that domestic players had long gone without meaningful pay increases and emphasised that those who sustain the structure of the game deserve fairer financial recognition.

The reforms come amid wider administrative restructuring within the board, as the BCB also begins defining roles for members of its 11-person ad-hoc committee.

Meanwhile, the board is also working to resolve ongoing disputes between club sides and the governing body, with plans underway to stage the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League in the coming weeks as part of efforts to stabilise domestic cricket operations.

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Former national captain Tamim Iqbal has been appointed as the new president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) following the dissolution of the previous board led by Aminul Islam.

The decision was taken by the government after a five-member investigation committee submitted its findings on alleged irregularities surrounding the BCB elections held in October last year.

Acting on the recommendations, the authorities moved to disband the existing board and install a new leadership structure.

At 37, Tamim becomes the youngest president in the board’s history and will head an 11-member ad-hoc committee tasked with stabilising cricket administration in the country.

The committee includes notable names such as former Bangladesh captain Minhajul Abedin and ex-international cricketer and commentator Athar Ali Khan, alongside several other members.

The National Sports Council (NSC) confirmed that the International Cricket Council (ICC) has been formally informed about the decision. NSC sports director Mohammed Aminul Ahesan stated that the previous board was deemed improperly constituted and unable to function effectively.

“As part of the NSC’s responsibility, we have informed the ICC that this board of directors was not formed in a proper manner and is not able to complete its work accordingly,” he said, expressing confidence that the global body would support the move.

The development follows weeks of turmoil within the BCB, with mounting pressure from the sports ministry over concerns regarding the legitimacy of the last election, alleged political interference, and governance issues.

The situation was further aggravated by multiple resignations, with six board directors stepping down since January, including four in the past week alone.

Despite the growing crisis, former president Aminul Islam had earlier insisted he would not step down, even after the investigation report was submitted.

Widely regarded as one of the country’s greatest-ever batters, Tamim Iqbal represented Bangladesh in 391 international matches and captained the side to 21 wins in 38 games, including a historic ODI series triumph over South Africa in 2022.

After retiring from international cricket in early 2025, Tamim remained involved in the domestic circuit before a heart attack during a Dhaka Premier League match brought an abrupt end to his playing career.

READ: Fakhar Zaman opens up on T20I retirement plan

Iftekhar Rahman, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) director, has confirmed that veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan remains very much in the selectors’ consideration.

Shakib, 38, made a quiet return to competitive cricket last week after nearly six months on the sidelines, turning out for Lahore Qalandars in three matches during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10.

The comeback followed a clearance of his bowling action by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), which had deemed it illegal across formats in December last year after his stint with Surrey.

His return, however, has not been a headline-grabber. With two ducks and just one wicket in three outings, Shakib’s impact has been minimal, but that hasn’t closed the door on a possible comeback.

“Shakib will always be in the consideration of the selectors and the team management,” Iftekhar said on Monday. “He is an asset for any team. He is a world-class cricketer.”

Shakib Al Hasan last played for Bangladesh in the second Test against India in Kanpur back in October.

Ahead of that match, he had announced plans to end his Test career on home soil against South Africa and declared his T20I retirement.

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However, widespread student protests in the wake of the Awami League’s fall from power on August 5, the same party Shakib represents in parliament, derailed those plans.

Since then, he hasn’t returned to Bangladesh, and the BCB has kept its distance, excluding him from squads, including for the Champions Trophy.

“He has just returned after correcting his bowling action. Let him play a few more matches, and I think then we can answer the question [about his return],” Iftekhar added.

Bangladesh’s cricketing landscape has shifted significantly in Shakib’s absence. The team recently lost a T20I series 2-1 to the UAE in Sharjah and now prepares to face Pakistan in a three-match series in Lahore.

“It is a relatively new team without the four senior players (Shakib, Tamim, Mushfiqur and Mahmudullah),” Iftekhar acknowledged.

“There’s a void in the team. I think we have the talent among the current crop of players, but they lack application. The more they play, the better they will get.”

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Nazmul Hassan Papon has resigned from his post as the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president amid the ongoing political turmoil in the country.

Meanwhile, former international player Faruk Ahmed has been appointed as the new president during a board meeting in Dhaka on Wednesday.

The resignation of Nazmul Hassan was widely anticipated due to the impact of student protests in the country, which eventually resulted in the downfall of the government led by Sheikh Hasina.

Nazmul was part of the Hasina-led Bangladesh Awami League and was an elected member of the Parliament.

In 2012, he assumed the position of BCB president after being nominated by the government. The following year, he was elected as the president. Since then, he has had the honour of serving as the elected president of BCB for three consecutive terms.

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Meanwhile, the Bangladesh cricket team is currently in Pakistan for a two-match Test series, which is a part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC).

The first Test was scheduled to kick off earlier this morning however the toss has been delayed due to a wet outfield in Rawalpindi.

The umpires found wet patches in the outfield of Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium due to overnight rain.

Umpires Richard Kettleborough of England and Adrian Holdstock from South Africa will have another inspection of the ground at 11:00 am (6:00 GMT).

But the chances of play starting before lunch improved as the sun came out with clear blue skies over the stadium.

READ: Toss of first Pakistan-Bangladesh Test delayed due to wet outfield