Dhaka: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has initiated a review of the salary, allowances, and remuneration structure for umpires, coaches, scorers, trainers, physiotherapists, and other professionals involved in cricket, alongside its decision to increase match fees for domestic cricketers.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, BCB President Tamim Iqbal stated that the board's goal is to strengthen the overall cricket infrastructure rather than provide financial benefits to any particular group. "Not only the issue of the players, but everyone's issues are being looked into. An employee, scorer, umpire, coach, trainer, or physio-whoever is doing a good job, their remuneration and salary are being reviewed," Tamim told reporters after a working committee meeting today.
He emphasized that a standard salary structure will be determined for these professionals very soon. Tamim also rejected suggestions that the increase in domestic players' match fees was intended to compensate them for the absence of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). He mentioned that the initiative was part of a long-term plan to establish a stronger financial foundation for domestic cricket.
Tamim explained, "If I did this to please the players, I would have done it for one year. I would have said, I will extend it for one year, and when the BPL comes next year, it will go back to the previous situation. But we wanted to do something sustainable for the long term."
He further added that a cricketer who regularly participates throughout the domestic season could potentially earn Taka 30-40 lakh a year, with income coming from club competitions, First and Second Division cricket, and the Premier League. Tamim highlighted that the regular staging of the BPL in the future could create additional earning opportunities for domestic players.
"The board was working on a new financial structure to ensure that the cricketers can earn a respectable income from domestic cricket rather than depending solely on opportunities with the national team," Tamim stated.