The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has allocated PKR 1.1 billion in its budget for players' monthly salaries and match fees. This year, 45 cricketers will be awarded central contracts across five categories, reflecting a substantial financial commitment to both men's and women's cricket.
Men's Central Contract Categories and Match Fees
Players in Category A/B (Test and ODI) will receive match fees of PKR 1.5 million for Tests, PKR 750,000 for ODIs, and PKR 500,000 for T20Is. Category A (Test) players will earn PKR 1.5 million per Test, PKR 650,000 for ODIs, and PKR 450,000 for T20Is. Category B/C (ODI and T20I) players will receive PKR 900,000 for Tests, PKR 750,000 for ODIs, and PKR 500,000 for T20Is. Category C (T20 International) players will get PKR 700,000 for Tests and PKR 500,000 each for ODIs and T20Is. Currently, all 30 centrally contracted players receive PKR 1,257,795 for Tests, PKR 644,620 for ODIs, and PKR 418,584 for T20Is. There has been no change in the men's domestic central contracts.
Domestic Contracts and Match Fee Hikes
Overall, contracts will be awarded to 175 players across four categories: 30 players in Category One will receive PKR 350,000 monthly; 55 players in Category Two will get PKR 250,000; 55 players in Category Three will receive PKR 150,000; and 35 young players in Category Four will be paid PKR 140,000 per month. The match fee for Quaid-e-Azam Trophy players has increased from PKR 30,000 to PKR 100,000, while reserve players will now receive PKR 50,000 per match instead of PKR 15,000.
Women's Central Contract Revisions
Women cricketers' central contract fees have also been revised. The first four categories have received a 33.33% increase, while the last category has been given a 50% raise. Category A players will now receive PKR 600,000 instead of PKR 450,000; Category B has been increased from PKR 375,000 to PKR 500,000; Category C will now get PKR 300,000 after an addition of PKR 75,000; Category D will receive PKR 200,000 instead of PKR 150,000; and Category E will be paid PKR 150,000 instead of PKR 100,000. There has been no change in the women's domestic central contracts.
Women's Domestic and Youth Cricket Enhancements
In the Gold category, 20 players will receive PKR 55,000 monthly, while 50 players in the Silver category will earn PKR 40,000. Match fees for senior women and Under-19 cricketers will also increase. ODI fees will rise from PKR 100,000 to PKR 150,000, while T20 fees will increase from PKR 60,000 to PKR 100,000. Under-19 players will receive PKR 80,000 for ODIs instead of PKR 60,000, and PKR 40,000 for T20 matches instead of PKR 30,000.
New Women's Domestic Tournaments
The PCB has also decided to introduce two new tournaments in women's domestic cricket: Super Three One-Day and Super Three T20. These will cost PKR 70.57 million and PKR 59.13 million respectively, further boosting the development of women's cricket in Pakistan.
