The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced its new central contract list for 2024, which features 21 players across different formats. The notable inclusion is Mahmudullah Riyad, who has been given an ODI-only contract after missing out on the previous list. The notable exclusion is Tamim Iqbal, who has opted out of the contract and effectively ended his international career.

Mahmudullah’s return to the contract list comes after his impressive performances in the World Cup and the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), where he led his team Chattogram Challengers to the final. Mahmudullah, who had been dropped from the national team before the World Cup, may also be available for T20Is, as the contract does not restrict him from playing in other formats unless he retires.

Tamim’s absence from the contract list was expected, as he had expressed his wish not to be included in the new contract. Tamim, who is Bangladesh’s all-time leading run-scorer in international cricket, had announced his retirement from the game during a home series against Afghanistan last year, following criticism from BCB president Nazmul Hasan. He later reversed his decision after intervention from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, but missed the Asia Cup and the World Cup due to injuries. He is currently playing in the BPL for Fortune Barishal.

The BCB has awarded contracts to five players for all three formats: Litton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Najmul Hossain Shanto, and Shoriful Islam. Mushfiqur Rahim has been given a contract for Tests and ODIs, while Mahmudullah Riyad and Tanzim Hasan Sakib have been given contracts for ODIs only. Taskin Ahmed, Towhid Hridoy, Mustafizur Rahman, and Hasan Mahmud have been given contracts for ODIs and T20Is, while Mominul Haque, Taijul Islam, Zakir Hasan, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Khaled Ahmed, and Nayeem Hasan have been given contracts for Tests only. Nasum Ahmed, Mahedi Hasan, and Nurul Hasan have been given contracts for T20Is only.

Three players who had contracts last year have lost them this year: Ebadot Hossain, Afif Hossain, and Mosaddek Hossain. Three new players have been included in the contract list: Towhid Hridoy, Nasum Ahmed, and Tanzim Hasan Sakib.