BCB to announce list of centrally contracted players after NZ tour

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) usually assesses the performances of cricketers throughout the year before finalising the central contract lists. As there was barely any cricket in 2020, the board did not have the chance to do so. Therefore, it has all come down to the next two series and the BCB will announce the lists based on the performances in these series.

Bangladesh are set to return to international cricket after 10 months through the bilateral series against the West Indies consisting of three ODIs and two Tests. Then the tigers will tour New Zealand to play three ODIs and three T20Is. The tour will end on March 28 which suggests that the central contracts will be announced in April.

Regarding this, chairman of BCB's cricket operations Akram Khan said, "We cannot announce the central contracts now as there was little action in 2020. So, we will assess the performances of the currently contracted players in the next two series and then take a call after discussing with everyone in the board," Akram explained. 

Imrul Kayes, Abu Hider, Khaled Ahmed, Rubel Hossain and Shadman Islam were excluded from the central contracts announced in March 2020. Mashrafe Mortaza opted out of the central contracts and Shakib Al Hasan was dropped because of his suspension. Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mohammad Mithun, Ebadat Hossain, Afif Hossain and Naim Sheikh were the newly included players.

Currently, centrally contacted cricketers are- Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mohammad Mithun, Taijul Islam, Mehidy Hasan Miraz,  Mominul Haque, Nayeem Hasan, Abu Jayed, Ebadot Hossain, Mahmudullah, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mustafizur Rahman, Afif Hossain, Naim Sheikh and Soumya Sarkar.