Sports Desk:

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced a significant pay rise for the country’s women cricketers under a new central contract that took effect retroactively from July this year. The decision was approved during the board’s meeting on Monday, marking one of the most notable revisions in the women’s pay structure in recent years.

Under the new system, the top-tier or ‘Grade A’ players will now receive a monthly salary of Tk1.6 lakh, up from Tk1.2 lakh, while the lowest ‘Grade D’ cricketers will earn Tk80,000, an increase from Tk60,000. The new structure will remain valid till June next year.

According to the list released by the BCB, three players—captain Nigar Sultana Joty, left-arm spinner Nahida Akter, and batter Sharmin Akter Supta—have been placed in Grade A. Six cricketers, including Fargana Hoque Pinky, Ritu Moni, Fahima Khatun, Marufa Akter, Rabeya Khan and Sobhana Mostary, have been included in Grade B, each earning Tk1.35 lakh per month. Rising star Shorna Akter is the lone player in Grade C, with a salary of Tk95,000, while Grade D features Sumaiya Akter, Fariha Islam Trishna, Rubya Haider Jhelik, Sanjida Akter Meghla and Nishita Akter.

In addition to the revised salaries, the national team captain will receive an extra Tk30,000 per month, while the vice-captain will get Tk20,000. Players outside the central contract who are called up to the national team will be entitled to a monthly payment of Tk60,000 during their inclusion.

The decision fulfills a promise made by the BCB’s newly appointed women’s wing director, former national spinner Abdur Razzak, who had earlier hinted at improving financial incentives for women cricketers.

Despite the encouraging increase, the gap between the men’s and women’s pay scales remains substantial. In the men’s national team, the top ‘Grade A+’ players earn Tk10 lakh per month, while those in Grades A, B, C, and D receive Tk8 lakh, Tk6 lakh, Tk4 lakh, and Tk2 lakh respectively.