|| CF DESK ||

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) unveiled its latest central contracts for national cricketers on Monday, setting the stage for the 2024 season.

Among the 21 selected players, a notable inclusion is Mahmudullah Riyad, marking a significant turnaround considering his absence from the national team preceding last year's World Cup.

Mahmudullah's stellar performance in both the World Cup and the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) undoubtedly influenced the decision to award him a contract, dispelling any doubts about his future in the squad.

It's worth emphasizing that a player's contract in one format doesn't preclude them from participating in others, unless they've officially retired. Consequently, Mahmudullah remains a potential candidate for T20Is, further bolstering Bangladesh's squad across formats.

Conversely, the absence of former captain Tamim Iqbal from the contract list was widely expected, given his expressed desire to step away from international cricket.

This decision effectively marks the conclusion of his illustrious career in the national team. Tamim's initial retirement announcement during a series against Afghanistan last year, amidst criticisms from BCB president Nazmul Hasan, set the stage for his departure.

Although he briefly rejoined the team following an intervention from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, recurrent injuries have since plagued him, causing him to miss crucial tournaments like the Asia Cup and the World Cup in India last year.

The BCB's contract allocations span various formats, with five players securing contracts for all three formats, highlighting the board's commitment to fostering talent across the board.