Days after taking over as Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Tamim Iqbal, the former skipper has defended the board’s decision to significantly raise domestic match fees and player salaries, stating that cricketers in the country had long been “highly underpaid” and deserved better financial recognition.
The move marks the first major step taken by the Tamim-led ad hoc committee, which assumed charge earlier this week, and is aimed at providing much-needed relief to domestic players across both men’s and women’s cricket, with a particular focus on improving conditions in the women’s game.
While welcoming the increase, Tamim acknowledged that the revised structure is only a step in the right direction rather than a complete solution. “This may not be ideal, but it is certainly an improvement, considering there are limits to how much can be increased at once,” he told ESPNcricinfo.
He also expressed surprise at the previously low earnings of women cricketers, revealing that some players were earning as little as BDT 1,000 per match in domestic one-day competitions, with only marginal increments in recent years.
Under the revised structure, women players will now receive BDT 10,000 for T20 matches, BDT 15,000 for 50-over games, and BDT 20,000 for first-class fixtures. In addition, the monthly retainers for the top 36 women cricketers have been increased from BDT 30,000 to BDT 40,000, reflecting a broader push to ensure greater financial stability and recognition within the system.
The salary revision also covers men’s domestic cricket. Category A players will now earn BDT 65,000 per month, while those in categories B and C will receive BDT 50,000 and BDT 40,000 respectively. Match fees in first-class cricket have also been raised, going up from BDT 75,000 to BDT 100,000.
Tamim emphasised that these changes were overdue, pointing to the lack of meaningful increments over the past few years. “There has been little increment in the past three to four years. I think the players were highly underpaid in the previous salary structure. These players work hard, and cricket exists because of their efforts. At the very least, they deserve fair compensation,” he said.
The new pay structure for both men and women will come into effect from January 1, 2026.
Alongside the financial overhaul, the BCB’s ad hoc committee has also outlined its immediate priorities. One of its key objectives is to resolve ongoing disputes between clubs and the board, with efforts underway to resume the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League in the coming weeks, signalling a broader attempt to restore stability and confidence in Bangladesh’s domestic cricket system.