After clinching the historic 2018 Women’s T20 Asia Cup trophy, Bangladesh women cricketers have been now welcomed in their nation. For their heroic performances in the tournament, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced a cash reward of a 2 crores Bangladeshi Taka ($236,000) for the team. BCB has also ensured to review their salary and match fees.
While the women cricketers made proud the entire nation, BCB President Nazmul Hasan overly joyed and announced the prize money.
He said, “I cannot describe, in words, the joy we had on seeing them perform in this manner. They had worked really hard and their effort needs to be recognized. So we have decided to distribute Taka 2 Crores as prize money for the team.”
Further, BCB spokesman Jalal Yunus told AFP on Tuesday, “Each player will get one million taka ($14,800) as a cash reward.” He further added that around $75,000 will be distributed among the coaching and management staff.
Yunus also said, “The BCB will review the salary and match fees of contracted women players this week.”
At present, Bangladesh women earn a maximum 30,000 Bangladeshi Taka ($445) each month and $100 additional for an international match fee.
Bangladesh women’s cricket team captain Salma Khatun has expressed her glad for the incentives.
She said, “Naturally it is a big incentives. It will not only boost our image but this kind of recognition will help the development of women’s cricket in the country.”
In the 2018 Women’s T20 Asia Cup, Bangladesh women beat India and Pakistan along with the Thailand and Malaysia in the league stages. In the final of the tournament, Bangladesh women once again beat the Indian women (by 3 wickets) in the final ball of the match. They are the only team to beat India women in the Women’s Asia Cup history.
Bangladesh women lost only one game in this tournament and that was against Sri Lanka by 6 wickets.
Minister for youth and sports, Biren Sikder has announced to create a dedicated academy for the women cricketers.
Sikder said, “We are proud with their performance. We would create a dedicated academy for the women cricketers.”
