Bangladesh Cricket Board’s chairman of cricket operations Akram Khan has confirmed that BCB is set to increase the salary of the national team cricketers by this month. He also informed that there will be a decrease in the number of players with central contract.

“Last time we increased the salary by 100 percent, slowly we will increase it more.

“We haven’t finalized our proposal yet. We will decide on it tomorrow.

“It’s true that there will be decrease in number of players on central contract once the new contract is drawn up. Lots of things are being considered. Less number of players will be better,” Akram said on Monday.

The former Bangladesh cricketer also talked about Bangladesh’s series against Afghanistan and told that the Bangladesh’s tour of Australia, which was likely to occur in August-September, has a very little chance to take place this year.

“They will not play at this time. They told it long ago. The chance is very low [for the series to take place this year]. They will give the schedule next year.

“The Bangladesh team have a busy schedule. There’s Afghanistan series in June, Bangladesh will go to West Indies in July and then to Florida, to play T20Is. There is the Asia Cup in Dubai in September, following which BPL will be played. West Indies and Zimbabwe will be touring Bangladesh after the BPL,” said Akram.

Akram Khan said that BCB is still unsure of which format will be played against Afghanistan and the dates have also not been decided as of yet.