4 Bangladesh cricketers left out of central contracts for year 2024

Four players have found their way out from Bangladesh Cricket Board central contracts for the year 2024.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced the central contract list for the men’s senior team for the year 2024 on Monday, February 12. However, in a shocking move by the board, legendary batter and former captain Tamim Iqbal has been excluded from the list in the latest development in Bangladesh cricket.

Apart from Tamim, three more players have been excluded from the BCB’s central contracts for 2024.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s new all-format skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto has bagged his first all-format contract, along with young pace bowling sensation Shoriful Islam. The duo will be joined by veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, Liton Das, Litton Das, and Mehidy Hassan Miraz.

Similarly, right-arm quick pacer Taskin Ahmed and left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman are part of the ODI and T20I contract lists.

Here are the four players who have been excluded from BCB’s 2024 central contract:

1. Tamim Iqbal

The 34-year-old Tamim Iqbal opener hasn’t played any international cricket since his last ODI appearance in September 2023. However, Tamim’s not-so-good relationship with the Bangladesh Cricket Board has affected his cricketing career in recent months.

The left-handed batter is Bangladesh’s all-time leading run-getter, amassing 15,249 runs and also holding the record for most tons across formats, 25. However, Tamim is currently playing in the Bangladesh Premier League and is expected to decide his future after the commencement of the league.

2. Ebadot Hossain

In August 2023, Bangladesh pacer Ebadot suffered a torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) in his left knee during an ODI series against Afghanistan. After not recovering on time, the star pacer was ruled out of the two major tournaments, i.e., the Asia Cup 2023 and the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2023.

His exclusion from the squad was the biggest setback for the team as Ebadot was their leading pacer and has been bowling consistently well in recent years. It remains uncertain when the right-arm quick bowler will return to the side. The 29-year-old cricketer has represented Bangladesh in all three formats.

3. Mosaddek Hossain

The 28-year-old Mosaddek Hossain has represented Bangladesh in all three formats. The right-handed batter made his debut in test cricket in March 2017 against Sri Lanka. Since then, the young player has played just four games in the longest format, having scored 173 runs in eight innings.

Mosaddek Hossain has also played 43 ODIs and 33 T20Is for Bangladesh. The Bangladesh cricketer has smashed 634 runs and 389 runs in ODIs and T20Is, respectively. Mosaddek has scalped 17 wickets in ODIs and 18 wickets in T20Is in his career so far. Since November 2022, the off-break bowler hasn’t played any international game for the national side.

4. Afif Hossain

Bangladesh left-handed batter Afif Hossain has played 31 and 69 ODI and T20I matches so far for his national side. The 29-year-old cricketer has smashed 600 and 1109 runs in ODI and T20I games, respectively.

The Southpaw played his last international fixture (T20I) against New Zealand at Bay Oval in December 2023. Since then, Afif hasn’t been picked up in any format for his national side. Which might be the reason why he has been left out of central contracts for the year 2024. However, a player can play for national men’s cricket team despite not having central contract from the board.

Full list of Bangladesh’s 2024 men’s senior team central contracts:

All three formats (Tests, ODIs and T20Is): Litton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shoriful Islam

Tests and ODIs: Mushfiqur Rahim

ODIs and T20Is: Taskin Ahmed, Towhid Hridoy, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud

Tests: Mominul Hoque, Taijul Islam, Zakir Hasan, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Khaled Ahmed, Naeem Hasan0

ODIs: Mahmudullah, Tanzim Hasan

T20Is: Nasum Ahmed, Mahedi Hasan, Nurul Hasan

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