Four rookies awarded BCB contracts

Four Bangladesh cricketers who made their international debut last year have been given rookie contracts in place of four experienced players in the BCB's contract players' list. All fifteen players have also been given a 10% increase in salary for 2013.

Sohag Gazi, Anamul Haque, Abul Hasan and Mominul Haque have been brought under BCB's contracts in place of Nazimuddin, Imrul Kayes, Nazmul Hossain and Shuvagata Hom.

Offspinner Gazi was the stand-out performer against West Indies, taking 12 wickets in the two-Test series as well as breakthrough performances on both Test and ODI debut. Opening batsman Anamul struck 120 in only his second one-day match while pace bowler Abul became the first No. 10 in 110 years to make a Test century on debut. Mominul impressed as a middle-order batsman in the ODI series, playing a crucial littlie innings in the deciding ODI.

The players they have replaced haven't had a great 2012 with Nazimuddin, Imrul Kayes and Shuvagata all on the fringes of national selection. Nazmul Hossain seems to be the unlucky one yet again, cut off from the central contracts despite playing important roles on occasions as well as filling in whenever required. But his own injury record probably worked against him.

Among those who have been given an extended contract from 2012, vice-captain Mahmudullah has been promoted from Grade A to Grade A+ while Nasir Hossain has been elevated from Grade B to C.

Mashrafe Mortaza, Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim, Abdur Razzak and now Mahmudullah are in Grade A+, Rubel Hossain, Shafiul Islam and Nasir Hossain are in Grade B while Jahurul Islam and Elias Sunny are in Grade C.

Bangladesh central contracts 2013
Grade A+: Mashrafe Mortaza, Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim, Abdur Razzak, Mahmudullah
Grade A: none
Grade B: Rubel Hosain, Shafiul Islam, Nasir Hossain
Grade C: Jahurul Islam, Elias Sunny
Rookie: Sohag Gazi, Anamul Haque, Abul Hasan, Mominul Haque