Online Desk: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced its new central contracts for national cricketers on Monday for the year 2024.

The list includes 21 players, notably Mahmudullah Riyad, but excluding former captain Tamim Iqbal.

Mahmudullah’s inclusion comes after some uncertainty following his absence from the national team prior to last year’s World Cup. However, his strong performance in both the World Cup and the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) likely influenced the decision to award him a contract.

It is important to note that a contract in one format does not restrict a player from participating in others unless they are officially retired. So Mahmudullah may also be available to play in T20Is.

Tamim’s exclusion was anticipated, as he previously expressed a desire not to be included in the new contract, effectively signalling the end of his international career. This follows his initial retirement announcement during a home series against Afghanistan last year, prompted by criticism from BCB president Nazmul Hasan.

While Tamim briefly returned to the team following an intervention from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, recurring injuries have since sidelined him. He missed both the Asia Cup and the World Cup in India last year.

The BCB has awarded contracts across different formats: five players for all three formats, two for ODI only, one for ODI and Test, six for Test only, four for T20I and ODI, and three for T20I only.

Along with Tamim, three others—Ebadot Hossain, Afif Hossain, and Mosaddek Hossain—have lost their contracts. And three players—Towhid Hridoy, Nasum Ahmed, Naeem Hasan, and Tanzim Hasan Sakib—were included in the new contract.

Who gets which contract

All formats: Litton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Medidy Hasan Miraz, Najmul Hossain Shanto, and Shoriful Islam.

Test and ODI: Mushfiqur Rahim; Only Test: Mominul Haque, Taijul Islam, Zakir Hasan, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Khaled Ahmed, Nayeem Hasan.

Only ODI: Mahmudullah Riyad, Tanzim Hasan Shakib; ODI and T20I: Taskin Ahmed, Tawhid Hridoy, Mustafizur Rahman and Hasan Mahmud.

Only T20I: Nasum Ahmed, Mahedi Hasan, Nurul Hasan Sohan.