According to a report by NDTV, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to announce its new central contracts next week. The board has allocated PKR 1.1 billion for players’ salaries and match fees, with 45 cricketers expected to get contracts ahead of the West Indies tour starting on July 13.
For the first time, the PCB has removed the traditional alphabetical contract categories. Players will be placed in format-specific groups based on their role in red-ball and white-ball cricket. The new system aims to reward players according to their responsibilities across different formats of the game.
PCB introduces new match fee structure
Under the new system, AB category players for Tests and ODIs will earn PKR 1.5 million per Test, PKR 750,000 per ODI and PKR 500,000 per T20I. These players are expected to play regularly in all formats.
“You can expect at least 45 players to be given new contracts in the new format – expertise-based categories,” a PCB source said.
Category A is reserved for testing experts. He will get 1.5 million PKR for every test match. If selected in the limited overs squad, he will earn PKR 650,000 per ODI and PKR 450,000 per T20I.
The BC category is for white ball specialists. They will earn PKR 750,000 for each ODI and PKR 500,000 for each T20I. If they play a test match, they will get PKR 900,000 for that appearance.
Domestic players get higher retainers and match fees
The Pakistan Cricket Board has retained the monthly contract system for male domestic cricketers. A total of 175 players will receive domestic central contracts in four categories. The top 30 players in tier one will earn PKR 350,000 per month.
Category two consists of 55 players, each of whom earns PKR 250,000 per month. Another 55 players from category three will get PKR 150,000 every month under the new contract system, while 35 players from category four will get PKR 140,000 every month.
PCB has also increased the match fees for Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. Players will now get PKR 100,000 per match, increased from PKR 30,000. Reserve players will earn PKR 50,000 per match, compared to the previous PKR 15,000, providing a significant financial boost to domestic cricketers.
PCB extends women’s cricket contracts
The PCB has also announced higher salaries for centrally contracted women cricketers. Players in the top four contract categories will get a 33.33% pay rise, while players in the fifth category will get a 50% pay rise ahead of the new season.
Women players in Category A will now earn PKR 600,000 per month instead of PKR 450,000. Category B players will get PKR 500,000, Category C players will get PKR 300,000, Category D players will get PKR 200,000 and Category E players will get PKR 150,000 every month.
The board has also increased the match fees for women’s cricket. Senior players will now earn PKR 150,000 per ODI. The board will also launch two new domestic competitions, the Super Three One-Day and Super Three T20 tournaments, to strengthen the women’s game in Pakistan.
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