The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) recently announced a three-year central contract for its senior players, effective from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2026. In total, 25 cricketers have been granted central contracts, and these players have been grouped into four categories.
Category A includes Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi. Category B comprises Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, and Shadab Khan. Category C features Imad Wasim and Abdullah Shafique, while Category D includes Fahim Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, and others.
The PCB has significantly increased the monthly retainers for these players, with ICC revenue being factored into their overall monthly earnings. For instance, Category A players like Babar, Rizwan, and Shaheen will receive Rs6 million per month, while Category B players will earn Rs4.1 million per month. Those in Category C will get Rs1.75 million per month, and Category D players will receive Rs1.13 million per month.
This contract structure aims to reward and provide financial stability to Pakistan’s top cricket talents.
