Taskin Ahmed Only Player in BCB's Central Contract List with 'A+' Category

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has proposed a list of 22 players for its central contracts for the 2025 season, as selected by the national selection panel. Among these players, pacer Taskin Ahmed is the only player to be placed in the prestigious 'A+' category.

Instead of the usual categorization for Test, ODI, and T20 players, the new central contract list divides players into five categories: A+, A, B, C, and D. Taskin Ahmed has earned the highest 'A+' category, a reward for his consistent performance over time. He is the sole player in this top category in the BCB’s new central contract list.

In the 'A' category, senior players like Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Litton Das, and wicketkeeper-batter Mushfiqur Rahim have secured their places.

The 'B' category includes experienced cricketers such as Mominul Haque, Taijul Islam, Mahmudullah Riyad, and Mustafizur Rahman, while emerging talents like Towhid Hridoy, Hasan Mahmud, and Nahid Rana have also been included.

In the 'C' category, players like Shadman Islam, Soumya Sarkar, Jaker Ali Anik, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Shoriful Islam, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, and Sheikh Mahedi Hasan have found their places. Meanwhile, left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed and pacer Khaled Ahmed have been placed in the 'D' category.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board is expected to officially announce the 2025 central contracts soon. This contract list sees Shakib Al Hasan excluded for the first time, as he will not be part of the new central contract. There has also been some conflict within the board due to Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riyad not making decisions about their retirements.

This year, several young players like pacer Nahid Rana, opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Jaker Ali Anik, and Rishad Hossain are set to make their debut in the central contract list. The national selectors have chosen 22 players for the 2025 central contract, and BCB President Farok Ahmed has also approved the list of players in the new contract.