DHAKA, Dec 21, 2024 (BSS)-The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has taken a 
decision to increase all kind of facilities for Women cricketers to gradually 
bring them closer to the national team in term of financial status.

In a landmark decision, the board plans to increase the number of players 
under contract in the pool of women cricketers.

Around 25 cricketers are under contract in the national pool and the BCB will 
extend that it by introducing first-class contracts for 30 more players, much 
like the model for the men in the country's cricketing structure.

Apart from it, the women cricketers will now be receiving performance-based 
bonuses just like the male cricketers. 

"There are central contracts in place for the women cricketers in the 
national pool. In addition to that, we will bring in 30 more cricketers under 
contract," BCB president Faruque Ahmed said here today after a Board of 
Directors' meeting.

"There are contracts for men cricketers who play in the national league. 
We'll replicate that model in Women cricketers' case."

Introducing winning bonus is a giant stride to make the women's team almost 
equal to men's team.

"The new thing is that we have set a winning bonus for the women cricketers 
and in this case we also follow the model, that is being followed for the 
male cricketers," Faruque said.

"Winning bonus is a ranking-based system, you all know. If they beat the top 
three-ranked sides, there is a certain amount that is given as a bonus and if 
they beat four, five and six-ranked sides, the amount is different. It will 
be the same for the women. The amount will be different between the men and 
women but they (Women's team) will get a bonus."

The BCB boss also announced a reward for Bangladesh Under-19 team which won 
the ACC U-19 Men's Asia Cup earlier this month, beating India. The reward 
will see, each members including officials and coaching staff, receive Taka 3 
lakhs.