NewKerala.com

Bangladesh Cricket Board Expands Central Contracts for 2026 Season

The Bangladesh Cricket Board has unveiled its central contracts for the men's national team for the 2026 calendar year, increasing the squad size from 22 to 28 players. Pace bowler Taskin Ahmed, the sole A+ category player last year, has been downgraded to Grade A following an injury-disrupted 2025 season. Veteran wicketkeeper-batter Mushfiqur Rahim has moved down to Grade B after retiring from ODI cricket in March 2025. Several players, including top performers Tanzid Hasan Tamim and Rishad Hossain, have earned promotions to Grade B based on their strong 2025 campaigns.

Key Points: BCB 2026 Central Contracts: Taskin Ahmed Downgraded

  • Contract list expands to 28 players
  • Taskin Ahmed downgraded to Grade A
  • Mushfiqur Rahim moves to Grade B after ODI retirement
  • Promotions for Tanzid Hasan, Rishad Hossain
2 min read

Bangladesh Cricket Board announces central contracts for 2026

BCB announces 28-player central contracts for 2026. Taskin Ahmed moved from A+ to Grade A, while Mushfiqur Rahim drops to Grade B. Full list inside.

"The number of players on BCB contracts has increased from 22 in 2025 to 28 - ICC website"

New Delhi, February 20

The Bangladesh Cricket Board has announced the central contracts for their men's team for the 2026 season, spanning January 1 to December 31, 2026. The number of players on BCB contracts has increased from 22 in 2025 to 28 in the latest list, according to the ICC website.

Pacer Taskin Ahmed, the sole A+ category player last year, has been downgraded to Grade A. An Achilles injury in February disrupted his season, keeping him out of all Test matches in 2025. However, he remained active in white-ball cricket for Bangladesh, taking eight wickets in six ODIs and 24 wickets in 13 T20Is. Overall, Taskin has played 17 Test matches, taking 49 wickets at an average of 39.26. He has featured in 83 ODIs for Bangladesh and has 117 wickets against his name at an average of 29.86. He has also featured in 86 T20Is and has taken 106 wickets so far, at an average of 22.19.

Meanwhile, veteran Bangladeshi cricketer Mushfiqur Rahim has moved down to Grade B following his retirement from ODIs in March last year.

Strong performances by Shadman Islam, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Rishad Hossain, and Shak Mahedi Hasan earned them promotions to Grade B. Tanzid Hasan was Bangladesh's leading run-scorer in T20Is in 2025 with 775 runs in 27 matches, while Rishad Hossain topped the wicket charts in both ODIs and T20Is last season. In 25 T20Is, Rishad claimed 33 wickets in 2025, while claiming 17 wickets in seven ODIs.

BCB men's contracts:

Grade A

Najmul Hossain ShantoMehidy Hasan MirazLitton DasTaskin Ahmed

Grade B

Mushfiqur RahimMominul HaqueTaijul IslamMustafizur RahmanTawhid HridoyHasan MahmudNahid RanaShadman IslamTanzid Hasan TamimRishad HossianShak Mahedi Hasan

Grade C

Soumya SarkarJaker Ali AnikShoriful IslamTanzim Hasan SakibNasum AhmedSyed Khaled Ahmed

Grade D

Saif HassanParvez Hossain EmonTanvir IslamNayeem HasanHasan MuradShamim HossainQuazi Nurul Hasan Sohan.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priyanka N
Tough but fair call on Taskin Ahmed. Injuries are a cruel part of sport. Moving from A+ to A after missing Tests makes sense, but his white-ball numbers are still very good. Hope he comes back stronger!
S
Sarah B
The promotions for Tanzid Hasan and Rishad Hossain are fully deserved. 775 T20I runs and topping both white-ball wicket charts? That's outstanding form. Rewarding performance is the right way to go.
A
Aman W
As an Indian fan, it's good to see our neighbours building a strong system. A competitive Bangladesh team only makes Asian cricket more exciting. Looking forward to the next India-Bangladesh series!
K
Karthik V
Mushfiqur Rahim in Grade B feels a bit harsh, no? He's a legend of their cricket. Even after ODI retirement, his experience in Tests should hold more value. BCB might be focusing too much on youth.
M
Michael C
The Grade D list has some promising young names. This contract security will help them focus purely on cricket. Smart move by the board to secure talent for the long haul.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50