CRICKET POLL

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 upcoming season.

In a revamped salary structure, players under Grade A and B categories are set to receive an increment of 20,000 BDT/month, while those under C and D will get 10,000 BDT/moth more.

New Salary grade for centrally-contracted cricketers

zmJVNz6O0O3

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 boost to the country's top female cricketers, the 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," BCB statement read.

The bonus figures will remain the same for a series win in the two formats respectively.

Introduction of domestic contracts

Additonally, the BCB are also introducing national-level contracts for women cricketers alongside the existing central contracts in order to increase the number of players on their payrolls.

The BCB stated that alongside 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," Faruque 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 women 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 Chakroborty, 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