Bangladesh cut number of centrally contracted players

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) have reduced the number of centrally contracted players for 2018 in response to a dip in the team's performance.

Sixteen central contracts were issued last year but following a board meeting at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium it was announced that figure has been reduced to 10.

"We have reduced the number of contracted players because the cricket operations and selectors think that their performances have not been up to a level that makes a compelling case for them to be included in the contracts," said BCB president Nazmul Hassan.

The six players who have lost their central contracts are Soumya Sarkar, Mosaddek Hossain, Kamrul Islam Rabbi, Imrul Kayes, Taskin Ahmed and Sabbir Rahman.

Of those six, it was already known that Sabbir would not be included as he is currently serving a six-month domestic ban for assaulting a fan during a first-class fixture last year.

The BCB also revealed the list of 10 will be increased to 13 in due course, with three rookies gaining contracts.

“Ten names have been finalised among the national players and we also determined that three rookies be included,” added Nazmul. “The names of the rookies have not been finalised, but they will be submitted in due time. So there will be a 13-player contract list.”

List of contracted players: Tamim Iqbal, Taijul Islam, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Mashrafe Mortaza, Mominul Haque, Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain, Mehidy Hasan