The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced on Saturday, December 21, a salary hike across the four categories of its list of centrally-contracted women cricketers from the forthcoming season.
In a revamped salary structure, players under Grade A and B categories will be rewarded an increment of 20,000 BDT/month, while those under C and D earn more than 10,000 BDT/month.
New Salary grade for centrally-contracted cricketers:
Grade A - BDT 1,20,000/= per month (increase of BDT 20,000/= from 2023-24)
Grade B - BDT 1,00,000/= per month (increase of BDT 20,000/= from 2023-24)
Grade C - BDT 70,000/= per month (increase of BDT 10,000/= from 2023-24)
Grade D - BDT 60,000/= per month (increase of BDT 10,000/= from 2023-24)
BCB's current central contracts:
Category A: Nigar Sultana Joty, Farzana Haque, Ritu Moni, Nahida Akter
Category B: Fahima Khatun, Shamima Sultana, Sharmin Akter Supta, Murshida Khatun, Marufa Akter, Rabeya
Category C: Sobhana Mostary, Lata Mondol, Jahanara Alam, Shoma Akter
Category D: Disha Biswas, Sultana Khatun, Dilara Akter, Shathi Rani
In another major development for the country's top female cricketers, the cricket board has also approved the introduction of match and series-winning bonuses for national women's team players.
"From now on, women cricketers will receive BDT 1,00,000 for an ODI win against teams ranked from 1-3, BDT 75,000 for a win over teams ranked from 4-6, and BDT 50,000 for a win versus teams ranked from 7-9 in the ICC rankings. In T20Is, the figures will be BDT 50,000 for a victory against teams ranked from 1-3, BDT 35,000 for a win against teams ranked from 4-6, and BDT 30,000 for a win against teams ranked from 7-9 in the ICC rankings," a BCB statement read.
The bonus amounts will remain the same for a series win in the ODI and the T20 formats. Bangladesh women have not played a Test match yet.
Also Check: Bangladesh U19 Women vs India U19 Women Match Prediction - Who will win today’s Women's U19 T20 Asia Cup Final match between BAN-W U19 vs IND-W U19?
Introduction of domestic contracts
Moreover, the BCB is also introducing national-level contracts for female cricketers in addition to the existing central contracts in a bid to increase the number of players on their payrolls.
According to the BCB, apart from the 18 female cricketers holding central contracts, 30 women cricketers will be awarded domestic contracts.
"We have central contracts for the women cricketers in the national pool. In addition to that, we will bring in 30 more cricketers under contract," BCB president Faruque Ahmed told reporters after the board meeting.
"It'll be like the men's cricketers; we have contracts for players who play in the national league. So, we will start that for the women as well," he said.
"The Board has decided to introduce this in an effort to provide financial stability to a larger pool of women cricketers," BCB said in a statement.
30 female cricketers under national contract are: Salma Khatun, Rumana Ahmed, Ishma Tanjim, Fariha Islam Trisna, Sumaiya Akter, Sharmin Sultana, Rubya Haider Jhelik, Farzana Akter Lisa, Suraya Azmim, Puja Chakraborty, Nishita Akter Nishi, Shampa Biswas, Jannatul Ferdous Sumona, Sabikun Nahar Jesmin, Shanjida Akter Maghla, Fatema Jahan Sonia, Reya Akter Shika, Misty Rani Shaha, Jannatul Ferdous Tithi, Ayesha Akter (Jr.), Fuara Begum, Mst Eva, Sumaiya Akter Shuborna, Jannatul Maoua, Dipa Khatun, Afia Ashima Era, Unnoti Akter, Taj Nehar, Shorifa Khatun.
The Bangladesh Women's team recently played three ODIs and as many T20Is against Ireland in Dhaka and Sylhet, respectively. While Bangladesh won all the three ODIs, Ireland whitewashed the hosts in the T20Is.
