BCB Increases Salaries and Match Fees for Male and Female Cricketers

A clear indication of structural reform in Bangladesh cricket emerged from the very first meeting of the new leadership. Ending a prolonged period of stagnation, the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) ad-hoc committee has taken a major step toward ensuring financial security for domestic cricketers. Following its first meeting, committee head Tamim Iqbal announced an increase in salaries and match fees for both male and female players.

Formed just a day earlier, the ad-hoc committee initially held an introductory session before convening its first official meeting on Wednesday evening at the BCB headquarters in Mirpur. Speaking at a press conference after the meeting, Tamim not only announced the names of the standing committee chairpersons but also highlighted several key decisions aimed at improving the financial structure for domestic cricketers.

One of the central issues discussed in the meeting was the long-standing pay disparity faced by female cricketers. Addressing the matter, Tamim Iqbal said, “Today, I was quite surprised to see a few things. When our female cricketers play domestic matches—do you have any idea how much their match fees are? I don’t know whether you are aware or not. At one point, it was 1,000 taka. Later, there was a proposal to increase it to 5,000 taka, which I believe is not appropriate at all. They also play 20-over matches, 50-over matches, and even two- or three-day matches. What we have approved today—I wouldn’t say it is excellent—but it is much better than before. There are always limitations when it comes to increasing everything.”

He further elaborated on the revised payment structure for women cricketers, saying, “From now on, in domestic cricket, women will receive 10,000 taka for T20 matches, 15,000 taka for one-day matches, and 20,000 taka for longer formats such as two-, three-, or four-day matches, which was previously around 8,000 taka. In domestic contracts, there are about 30 to 35 female cricketers currently signed. Their monthly salary used to be 30,000 taka, which has now been increased to 40,000 taka. There was a complication here, as the minimum category in the national central contract for women has a salary of 60,000 taka. So even if we wanted to increase the domestic contract salary further, we had to maintain a gap with the national contract. That is why we increased it as much as possible within our limitations.”

At the same time, the committee addressed the long-overdue salary adjustments for male cricketers as well. Highlighting the lack of increments in recent years, Tamim said, “As you know, for the past three to four years—if I am not mistaken—there has been no salary increase at the domestic level for male cricketers. Previously, the salaries were: 35,000 taka for ‘A’ category, 30,000 taka for ‘B’ category, and 25,000 taka for ‘C’ category. Once again, I believe this is extremely low. These players work very hard and play cricket with great dedication. It is because of them that we have this cricket board and everything else. We must ensure at least a minimum level of respect and compensation for their efforts.”

He also clarified the updated salary and match fee structure for male cricketers, stating, “What we have approved today is that ‘A’ category players will now receive 65,000 taka per month, ‘B’ category players 50,000 taka, and ‘C’ category players 40,000 taka. This will be their monthly salary. As April is almost over, they have not yet received their salaries for the past four months of this year, possibly because their contracts were not signed. The new structure will be effective from January 1, meaning that whenever they receive their salaries from January onward, it will be calculated according to this revised structure. In addition, their match fee, which was previously 70,000 taka, has now been increased to 100,000 taka.”

Stakeholders believe that once these decisions are implemented, they will significantly enhance the financial security of domestic cricketers and create a more professional and focused environment within Bangladesh cricket.