ESPNcricinfo has learned that the BCB changed its salary policy from format-based to grade-based for the benefit of its Test specialists. In the previous policy, the board found it difficult to properly reward Test cricketers. The BCB’s cricket operations chairman Najmul Abedeen Fahim said after a recent board meeting that the central contracts would look to reward Test specialists.

Grade A also included Mushfiqur Rahim although his retirement from ODIs means that he will move to Grade B where the salary is BDT 600,000 (USD 4,900 approx.) per month.

Speedster Nahid Rana is also in category B after his impressive 2024. He is among four newcomers to get a contract, the others being Jaker Ali, Tanzid Hasan and Rishad Hossain, who are all placed in Grade C with a salary of BDT 400,000 (USD 3,300 approx.) per month.

The BCB mentioned in its press release that Mahmudullah – who turned 39 last month – requested that the board not consider him in the central contracts list after February 2025.

Soumya Sarkar and Shadman Islam return to the BCB’s central contracts for the first time since 2021 and 2022 respectively.

Shakib Al Hasan, Zakir Hasan, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Naeem Hasan and Nurul Hasan had contracts last year but are not on the list this time.

2025 Bangladesh central contracts

Grade A+: Taskin Ahmed
Grade A: Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Litton Das, Mushfiqur Rahim
Grade B: Mominul Haque, Taijul Islam, Mahmudullah, Mustafizur Rahman, Towhid Hridoy, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana
Grade C: Shadman Islam, Soumya Sarkar, Jaker Ali, Tanzid Hasan, Shoriful Islam, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan, Mahedi Hasan
Grade D: Nasum Ahmed, Khaled Ahmed