Tamim Iqbal, the chair of the newly created ad hoc committee for the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), said on Wednesday that launching the Dhaka Premier League (DPL) as soon as possible is the top priority for the incoming leadership. The BCB’s Dhaka Metropolis Cricket Committee—tasked with running club cricket in the capital—had previously indicated it would hold discussions with DPL clubs on April 8. That meeting, however, was later pushed back, and Tamim said he is determined to meet club representatives at the earliest opportunity.
Tamim’s comments come amid growing frustration among Bangladesh’s professional cricketers over an extended standoff between the Aminul Islam-led BCB and the city’s clubs. The dispute has dragged on for seven months, and its fallout has been felt most directly in the delay to the DPL. Several players have taken their concerns to social media, even as the Cricket Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) continues to work toward breaking the deadlock.
With Tamim now at the helm, there is fresh optimism that the tension between clubs and the board can be eased, allowing the tournament to move forward. The DPL is Bangladesh’s leading List A competition and is widely viewed as an important stepping stone for players hoping to progress to the national setup. “About the Dhaka Premier League, we have decided that we will immediately sit with every team and hold discussions with them. Our goal is to announce the player transfer window at the earliest and get the tournament started on the ground quickly,” Tamim said to reporters on Wednesday after the second meeting of the new administration.
He also flagged potential issues around venue availability but added that the board is willing to adapt if needed. “There is some concern regarding venue availability, but if necessary, we are even prepared to rent grounds. Now, there are several private academies that are capable of hosting List A matches, so if it is required, we will take that route,” he said.
Tamim further stated that the BCB has decided to raise salaries and match fees for first-class cricketers, while also tackling long-standing concerns over payment levels in women’s domestic cricket. “We have also taken a few other decisions regarding our first-class players, for both men and women. Honestly, after reviewing some of the figures today, I was personally surprised,” he told reporters.
As per Tamim, the updated structure will apply to all eight National Cricket League (NCL) teams, with contracted players benefiting in three different categories. Category A players will see their monthly pay increase from Tk 35,000 to Tk 65,000. Category B players will move from Tk 30,000 to Tk 50,000, while Category C players will receive Tk 40,000 instead of Tk 25,000. Tamim described the previous system as inadequate, noting that over recent seasons there had been little to no meaningful rise in earnings.
“Over the past three to four years, there has been almost no increment. Again, I think they are being underpaid. They put in immense effort, and it is because of them that we have this cricket board and this cricket structure today,” Tamim said. Alongside salary changes, match fees in first-class cricket have also been increased—from Tk 70,000–75,000 to Tk 1 lakh per match.
Tamim said the revised framework will come into effect from January 1. Players will receive adjusted payments retrospectively once their contracts are finalised. “It is already April, and for this year, four months have passed, yet they have not received their salaries—probably because contracts were not signed. So whenever they get their payments, it will be calculated from that date,” he added.
The board’s measures also target disparities in women’s domestic match fees. Tamim said match fees had previously been as low as Tk 1,000 and later increased to Tk 5,000—amounts he called unacceptable. “Do you have any idea how much our women cricketers are paid as match fees in domestic cricket? At one point it was just Tk 1,000… and I feel that is completely inadequate,” he said.
Under the new structure, women players will earn Tk 10,000 for T20 matches, Tk 15,000 for one-day games, and Tk 20,000 for longer-format contests. Contract salaries for women in domestic cricket have also been raised from Tk 30,000 to Tk 40,000, with roughly 30 to 35 players currently included under contract. Tamim acknowledged that further increases may be limited to keep pace with the national contract framework.
“The lowest category in the national contract is Tk 60,000. So even if we wanted to increase domestic salaries further, we had to maintain that gap,” he explained. Tamim also said the board is considering adjustments to the schedule of the New Zealand tour, which is scheduled to begin on April 17. He noted the changes are being explored in line with government instructions to conserve electricity, though he did not share any revised timings.
After the latest round of meetings, Tamim outlined a new committee structure. He confirmed that the cricket operations department will remain as it is for now, given the sensitivity of the portfolio. Some committees are still to be finalised and will be announced later. Tamim identified cricket operations as a key area, stressing the board’s focus on avoiding disruption while preparing for elections within the next three months.
“One of the most important areas is cricket operations. Since our primary goal is to ensure a smooth and timely election within three months, we felt this is a very sensitive department,” Tamim said. “If we appoint someone new or try to add input at this stage, there is a chance of disturbance. So we have collectively decided not to make any appointments in cricket operations for now. Any matter or inquiry coming from that department will be discussed and decided at the board level,” he added.
Responsibilities have also been distributed among board members to maintain continuity. Tamim will oversee the working committee and facilities, while Fahim Sinha will be responsible for game development and the Bangladesh Premier League. Rafiqul Islam Babu has been assigned to grounds, with Tanjil Chowdhury overseeing age-group cricket.
Marketing and disciplinary matters will be handled by Salman Ispahani, and Rashna Imam will lead the women’s wing alongside medical and complaints. Financial and welfare duties will fall under Israfil Khosru, with Syed Ibrahim Ahmed in charge of security, tenders, and purchases.
Minhajul Abedin Nannu will lead the tournament committee, Mirza Yasir Abbas will manage logistics, and Athar Ali Khan will head the umpires’ committee.
