From Icon to D, Player Salaries in the Womens BPL

For the first time, a Women’s BPL is being organized to take Bangladesh’s women’s cricket to a new level. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced that the tournament will feature three franchises, with the player draft scheduled for March 14.

According to BCB selectors, local players will be divided into five categories. The top ‘Icon’ category will include national team stars. Each team will have one Icon player, with a set salary of 1 million BDT. Nigar Sultana has been confirmed as a captain, while Nahida Akter and Sohana Mostari are being considered for the vice-captain roles.

The second-highest ‘A’ category will consist of six players, with each team selecting two. Their salary is set at 700,000 BDT. The ‘B’ category will have 12 players with a salary of 500,000 BDT, and the ‘C’ category will include around 20 players at 300,000 BDT. Players remaining unsold in the draft will be placed in the ‘D’ category, earning 150,000 BDT.

Franchises can directly sign foreign players before the draft if they wish. Possible salaries for foreign players are: ‘A’ category – 8,000 USD, ‘B’ – 6,000 USD, and ‘C’ – 3,000 USD. According to the rules, two foreign players must play in each match, and the squad must include at least four foreign players.

The tournament will take place from April 3 to 15. The Sher-e-Bangla Cricket Stadium in Mirpur and the Bir Sreshtho Matiur Rahman Stadium in Chattogram have been considered as venues.

The franchise participation fee has been set at 3 million BDT. The Nabil Group, owners of the Rajshahi Warriors who won the men’s BPL, have already shown interest. The BCB has also begun seeking TV broadcasting partners and sponsorship.

Women’s team selector Sazzad Ahmed said the final player categories for the draft will be confirmed in a few days.

This BCB initiative will present women’s cricket in a more professional light and create opportunities for local and international-standard players. In 2026, it is expected to be a memorable chapter for Bangladesh cricket fans.