The Bangladesh Cricket Board is mulling cutting down the number of central contracted players after discussions in the past few months. The cricketers’ contract was due for renewal in January this year and a final decision is likely to come in the BCB meeting tomorrow.
BCB’s cricket operations committee chairman Akram Khan confirmed the board’s move to the media yesterday, informing that the board is “trying to decrease the number of centrally contracted national cricketers”.
According to the former national captain and now a BCB director, the board is trying to come to a decision following discussions with the respective parties. He emphasised that “it is better to have less contracted cricketers”. However, the reason remains unexplained.
It is understood that the number of contracted cricketers is likely to come down to 10 from 16. The likes of Soumya Sarkar, Taskin Ahmed, Mosaddek Hossain and Kamrul Islam Rabbi are likely to be slashed from the list. Sabbir Rahman, currently serving suspension in domestic cricket over disciplinary issue, is also likely to be part of the omission list.
The BCB last year had given around 100% increment to the salary of the contracted cricketers. Akram informed that the board will also decide if there is any need of increment this year, based on claims that the cricketers are paid very well in domestic cricket, compared to the domestic salaries in other countries.
“The Bangladesh cricketers are well paid in domestic tournaments compared to many of the cricket-playing nations. Cricketers claiming pay raise should realise that. I think we have tried it in the past, like last year when we had made around a 100% raise,” said Akram.
Meanwhile, BCB in the meeting will also discuss the financial dispute with its title sponsor Robi and TV rights holder GTV.
It is understood that Robi, one of the leading mobile network operators of the country, has claimed compensation over violation of contract, which can amount to at least Tk6 crores. The Bangladesh cricket title sponsor’s claim was based on some of the national cricketers being engaged in personal endorsements with other telecommunication brands of the country.
GTV also had similar claims and pressed on the issue of having made loss during the tenure. The board however, has not agreed to the claims and is known to have countered the allegations.
The BCB extended its deal with Robi in May 2017. The mobile network operator was awarded the sponsorship right of the national team, women’s team and the U-19 team until June 2019.
Sunday, March 23, 2025
