The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has approved a significant increase in match fees for national players and granted financial and administrative autonomy to the PSL. Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi chaired the meeting of the Board of Governors, where the board also approved the surplus budget for the 2026-27 financial year.
PCB has approved the new match fee structure for international cricketers. Test players will now get PKR 1.5 million per match, while ODI and T20I players will earn up to PKR 750,000 and PKR 650,000 respectively. The Board will also assist in the construction of 12 new cricket grounds across the country.
Pakistan Cricket Board approves autonomy of PSL
According to Daily Pakistan, the board approved several major decisions to strengthen domestic cricket and Pakistan Super League (PSL). The board increased the domestic cricket budget from PKR 3 billion to PKR 4 billion and also approved the budget for PSL 12.
The Board of Governors also approved PKR 6.7 billion to upgrade cricket infrastructure including the National Stadium and other venues. The plan also includes installing biomechanics machines in the High Performance Centre.
The PCB also approved funding for women’s ODI and T20 tournaments to support the development of women’s cricket. Additionally, it increased the minimum monthly wage of regional ground staff to PKR 42,000 to improve wages and working conditions across the country.
PCB makes major reforms in Pakistan’s domestic cricket structure
The Pakistan Cricket Board has also made major changes in its domestic cricket structure. The players in each department’s team will have to sign official contracts, while each team will consist of 20 players. All players must pass a mandatory fitness test before becoming eligible to compete.
Under the new policy, Grade-1 departments will have to pay players a minimum monthly salary of PKR 150,000 or a lump sum amount of PKR 1.5 million. The board has fixed the minimum match fee for first-class and List A matches at PKR 10,000 as well as a daily allowance of at least PKR 5,000.
Pakistan domestic cricket will continue to have participation from both department and regional teams in senior and age-group competitions. The PCB’s expansion plans will also include new teams for Sialkot and Peshawar in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and National T20 Cup from the 2025-26 season.
Pakistan introduces 12-month contracts and higher match fees for domestic players
The board has introduced new measures to improve financial security for domestic cricketers. All participating departments are now required to offer their players 12-month contracts, ensuring greater job security and regular income throughout the season.
The board has also increased the domestic match fees. In the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, players will now get PKR 100,000 per match, increased from PKR 30,000, while reserve players will get PKR 50,000 instead of PKR 15,000. The PCB has also made it mandatory to transfer all payments directly to the players’ bank accounts.
Additionally, the board continues to offer central domestic contracts and currently has 156 players on its payroll for the 2025–26 season. Players can now hold both PCB domestic contracts and department contracts, giving them greater financial stability.
Also read: BCCI reacts to Meghalaya Cricket Association sexual harassment case