Bangladesh board extends players' contracts

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has made a two-month contract extension for players in the national squad, with plans to review the payment structure based on performances in the National Cricket League.

"The contracts expired on September 30, but we have decided to extended it by two months" Gazi Ashraf Hossain, the chairman of the board's cricket operations committee, told the Dhaka-based Daily Star.

"We have extended the contract to create a level playing field for the cricketers in the upcoming National Cricket League before confirming the new salary structure. We want to see how the national players make the difference with the others in the competition. Performance should be the only yardstick."

The BCB currently has 21 players, divided into three categories, under its payroll. Hossain said that stand-out performers would be given national contracts. "We are determined to ensure that the country's first-class competition would be meaningful all the way. We will love to see them [cricketers] give the tournament similar importance like international cricket."

The BCB has also decided to conduct interviews for physiotherapists to handle the six divisional teams taking part in the competition.