The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is considering introducing paid maternity leave for women cricketers, aiming to provide financial support to players during pregnancy and motherhood.
The proposal was discussed during an online board meeting on November 5, 2026. BCB women’s wing chairman Rafiqul Islam Babu confirmed that four months of paid leave had been proposed, although the women’s wing recommended extending the period to six months.
The initiative has received support from board officials but still requires formal approval before becoming an official policy.
BCB Discusses Paid Maternity Leave for Women Players
Rafiqul Islam Babu said the board had discussed maternity benefits and payment arrangements for women cricketers on its payroll.
“We had an online board meeting. Many of the directors were present. We have decided to introduce paid maternity leave, and it will also be approved by the board,” he said.
Babu explained that officials had considered different leave periods, with four months emerging as the initial proposal.
“Some recommended four months, while we suggested six months. Four months has been proposed for now, but it could be extended to six months,” he added.
The final duration, eligibility criteria and implementation date have not yet been announced. Formal approval will determine how the policy applies to contracted players.
Suraiya Azmin’s Request Prompts Action
The discussions followed a maternity leave request from former Bangladesh national team pacer Suraiya Azmin earlier in 2026. Her case brought attention to the absence of a clearly established maternity benefits policy for women cricketers.
The BCB subsequently took steps to provide Azmin with four months of salary payments. Babu confirmed that he had signed the necessary approval and expected the money to be transferred within one or two days of his statement.
Azmin welcomed the development, expressing satisfaction that the board had begun addressing the issue. Her experience highlighted the importance of establishing consistent arrangements for players rather than relying on individual requests.
How Bangladesh’s Proposal Compares With Other Cricket Boards
Bangladesh’s initiative follows maternity and parental support measures already introduced by several international cricket boards.
Cricket Australia and New Zealand Cricket provide paid maternity leave to eligible contracted players, while the Pakistan Cricket Board introduced its Parental Support Policy in 2021.
These policies recognise the need to support professional athletes during pregnancy and childbirth while providing a pathway back to competitive cricket.
The BCB’s proposed arrangements would move Bangladesh towards a similar approach, offering greater financial protection to women players during maternity-related absences.
ICC Introduces Post-Pregnancy Return-to-Play Guidelines
The International Cricket Council introduced its Return to Play Post-Pregnancy Guidelines on June 22, 2026, outlining a framework for women cricketers returning to the sport after childbirth.
The six-stage model – Ready, Review, Restore, Recondition, Return and Refine – covers medical assessments, physical recovery, gradual training and monitoring.
Unlike the BCB’s proposed policy, the ICC framework focuses on player health and preparation rather than salary protection. It does not guarantee paid maternity leave.
Together, financial support from national boards and structured return-to-play guidance can help players manage the transition back to professional cricket.
Formal Approval Remains the Next Step
The BCB has yet to confirm the final terms of its maternity leave policy, including the number of months covered and which players will qualify.
While the decision to provide financial support to Suraiya Azmin represents an immediate development, the proposed policy would establish a broader framework for women cricketers in Bangladesh.
If approved, it would strengthen player welfare provisions and offer greater security to athletes balancing motherhood with their professional careers.
