In a significant move to strengthen the overall cricket infrastructure in Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has initiated a comprehensive review of the salary, allowances, and remuneration structure for all cricket stakeholders. This includes umpires, coaches, scorers, trainers, physiotherapists, and domestic players. BCB President Tamim Iqbal emphasized that the review is part of a broader goal to create a sustainable financial foundation for domestic cricket.
Tamim Iqbal stated that the board's objective is not to provide financial benefits to any particular group but to ensure that everyone involved in cricket, from players to support staff, receives fair remuneration. 'Not only the issue of the players, but everyone's issues are being looked into. An employee, scorer, umpire, coach, trainer or physio—whoever is doing a good job, their remuneration and salary are being reviewed,' Tamim told reporters after a working committee meeting.
The BCB President also announced that a standard salary structure will be determined for all stakeholders very soon. This initiative is expected to bring much-needed financial stability and motivation to those working behind the scenes in cricket.
In addition to reviewing salaries, the BCB has decided to increase match fees for domestic cricketers. Tamim Iqbal rejected suggestions that this increase was a temporary measure to compensate players for the absence of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). Instead, he clarified that the increase is part of a long-term plan to establish a stronger financial foundation for domestic cricket.
'If I did this to please the players, I would have done it for one year. I would have said, I will extend it for one year, and when the BPL comes next year, it will go back to the previous situation. But we wanted to do something sustainable for the long term,' Tamim explained. According to him, a cricketer who regularly participates throughout the domestic season could potentially earn Taka 30-40 lakh a year, with income coming from club competitions, First and Second Division cricket, and the Premier League.
Tamim also highlighted that the regular staging of the BPL in the future could create additional earning opportunities for domestic players. The board is working on a new financial structure to ensure that cricketers can earn a respectable income from domestic cricket rather than depending solely on opportunities with the national team.
