Tamim-led BCB improves men's and women's salaries in Bangladesh domestic cricket

Bangladesh women's cricket received a much-needed boost with the BCB increasing domestic match fees and salaries significantly. This is the first major decision by the Tamim Iqbal-led ad-hoc committee which became functional on Tuesday.

Tamim was reportedly shocked when he heard from the BCB women's wing manager that players earn a match fee of BDT 1,000 (USD 8 approx.) and that it had risen to that number only a couple of years ago. This was in the one-day competition.

Now they will receive BDT 10,000 (USD 80 approx.) for T20s, BDT 15,000 (USD 120 approx.) for 50-over games and BDT 20,000 (USD 160 approx.) for first-class games. The monthly salary for the top 36 women in Bangladesh domestic cricket has also been pushed up from BDT 30,000 (USD 240 approx.) to BDT 40,000 (USD 320 approx.).

Tamim said that he still believes there is more work to be done on this front. "This may not be ideal, but it is certainly an improvement, considering there are limits to how much can be increased at once."

The BCB's new ad-hoc committee also gave the men's domestic cricketers a pay rise. Players in category A will now get BDT 65,000 (USD 540 approx.) per month, while category B and C will get BDT 50,000 (USD 415 approx.) and BDT 40,000 (USD 333 approx.) respectively.

First-class match fees have also gone up to BDT 100,000 (USD 833 approx.) from the previous BDT 70,000 (USD 583 approx.).

"There has been little increment in the past three to four years," Tamim said. "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."

The new monthly salary for both men and women will be effective from January 1, 2026.

The BCB has also announced roles for the eleven members in the ad-hoc committee. The new committee is also looking to solve the stalemate between club teams and the BCB, as they look to hold the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League by the next couple of weeks.

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