KARACHI: Pakistan’s central contracts remain unannounced, leaving players facing an increasingly prolonged wait for confirmation of their deals. Following Pakistan’s disappointing performance on the tour of England, the process has stalled, with progress now expected only if the team delivers improved results during the upcoming home season.
According to sources, the new central contracts for Pakistan’s national cricketers will cover the period from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027. Players were briefed on the matter before the team departed for the West Indies and England in July, and a preliminary list of 30 players had also been prepared.
However, Pakistan’s below-par performances in England, followed by a whitewash, brought the process to a standstill. The contracts have yet to be officially announced.
Sources suggest that changes to the initial list are likely, with Mohammad Rizwan and Shan Masood facing an increased risk of being dropped.
The preliminary list was generated using an algorithm developed by an American company. The software assessed players’ past international and domestic performances across all formats. Selectors were provided with a 15-point assessment framework to evaluate each cricketer’s future prospects, current form and past performances.
Players scoring between 50 and 60 points are eligible for central contracts.
Test players will not be granted no-objection certificates (NOCs) to participate in overseas leagues. However, they will be allowed to play red-ball county cricket and other forms of the game. Players in other categories will be permitted to participate in a limited number of overseas leagues, while Category C players will face no such restrictions.
According to sources, several cricketers want to be placed in Category C. They have reportedly assured the authorities that, despite seeking greater freedom to play in overseas leagues, they will remain available to represent Pakistan in any format whenever required.
Players eligible for the senior categories A, AB, BC and C, must play at least four Test matches, six one-day internationals or six T20 internationals in a year. Category D, reserved for emerging cricketers, is exempted from this requirement. Players must also participate in domestic cricket in their respective formats.
Monthly retainers and match fee
Test specialists in the first tier of Category A will receive a monthly retainer of Rs4 million, while those in the second tier will earn Rs3.6 million.
Players in the first tier of Category AB will receive Rs4.8 million per month, while those in the second tier will be paid Rs3.8 million.
Monthly retainers for Category BC players will be Rs3.4 million and Rs2.6 million, respectively. T20 specialists will receive Rs2.6 million and Rs2 million, depending on their tier. Players in Category D will be paid Rs1 million per month.
The proposed match fees are as follows:
- Category A (Test specialists): Rs1.5 million per Test, Rs650,000 per ODI and Rs450,000 per T20 International.
- Category AB: Rs1.5 million per Test, Rs750,000 per ODI and Rs500,000 per T20 International.
- Category BC: The same fees as Category AB for white-ball cricket, while the fee for a Test match will be Rs900,000.
- Category C: Rs500,000 per ODI or T20 International. Players selected for Test cricket will receive Rs700,000 per match.
The PCB has allocated Rs1.1 billion in its budget for players’ monthly retainers and match fees.
The highest monthly retainer under the proposed central contracts is Rs4.8 million, translating into annual earnings of Rs57.6 million for a top-category player. Including match fees and other payments, a leading player’s annual earnings could rise to Rs80–90 million.
Interestingly, Saim Ayub reportedly earned Rs126 million in a single season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Players participating in overseas leagues could earn more than Rs200–220 million annually.
Consequently, restricting or limiting participation in foreign leagues could result in substantial financial losses for players. This is one reason several cricketers are keen to move into Category C, where they would face fewer restrictions when seeking NOCs for overseas competitions.
However, the final decision rests with the PCB.