Here’s What Pakistan Cricketers Will Earn After PCB Latest Update

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has recently announced its new set of central contracts, and the decision has sparked a heated debate among cricket fans and experts. The biggest talking point is that, for the very first time since the system of central contracts was introduced, not a single player has been placed in Category A. Many believe this bold step reflects the team’s inconsistent performances over the past year, including disappointing results in key tournaments.

Central contracts are seen as both a recognition of a player’s contribution and a financial assurance from the PCB. Normally, senior players or star performers are placed in the top category, but this time the board has made a strong statement by leaving Category A completely empty.

Salary Increases for Categories C and D

Despite the absence of Category A players, there is some positive news for those in the lower categories. According to details shared on Tuesday, the PCB has offered a significant salary increase to cricketers in Categories C and D.

• Players in Category C will now receive PKR 2.5 million per month, which is a jump of PKR 500,000 compared to last year’s PKR 2 million.
• Cricketers in Category D will take home PKR 1.5 million monthly, up from the previous PKR 1.2 million.

This pay rise is being viewed as the PCB’s attempt to keep younger and upcoming players financially stable and motivated to perform better on the field.

No Increase for Category B

Interestingly, players in Category B have not been given any pay raise in this update. They will continue to earn PKR 3 million per month. This has also become a point of discussion, as many feel that the board could have shown more consistency in its approach.

Division of Contracts and New Faces

In total, 30 players have been awarded central contracts, and they have been evenly divided into Categories B, C, and D—10 players in each. Out of these, 12 players are fresh entrants, which highlights the PCB’s focus on expanding its talent pool.

The new faces include:

• Ahmed Daniyal
• Faheem Ashraf
• Hasan Ali
• Hasan Nawaz
• Hussain Talat
• Khushdil Shah
• Mohammad Abbas
• Mohammad Haris
• Mohammad Nawaz
• Sahibzada Farhan
• Salman Mirza
• Sufyan Moqim

The inclusion of these names shows that the board is giving opportunities to players who have been performing in domestic cricket and leagues, signaling a shift towards broader squad rotation.

Players Dropped from Contracts

On the other hand, eight players who had contracts last season have not been retained. The dropped cricketers are:

• Aamir Jamal
• Haseebullah
• Kamran Ghulam
• Mir Hamza
• Mohammad Ali
• Mohammad Huraira
• Muhammad Irfan Khan
• Usman Khan

All of these players were previously part of Category D, and their exclusion has raised questions about the selection criteria and the board’s long-term vision.

A New Approach by the PCB

The absence of Category A players may look unusual, but many experts see it as a wake-up call for senior cricketers, pushing them to deliver consistent performances if they want to earn top rewards. At the same time, the pay rise for Categories C and D reflects an effort to support younger talent and ensure financial security for players still trying to establish themselves in international cricket.

The PCB has also been focusing on building separate squads for different formats—Test, ODI, and T20. This could be one of the reasons why the contracts have been restructured. By spreading financial benefits across more players, the board seems to be preparing for the future with a larger, well-paid pool of cricketers.

In the coming months, it will be interesting to see whether this bold move pays off or creates further controversy, but one thing is clear: the PCB has taken a new direction in handling player contracts, and the debate around it is far from over.

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