The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has revised the central contracts for national cricketers, announcing a significant salary hike for players in categories C and D, sources confirmed on Tuesday.
According to the details, the monthly remuneration of cricketers in category C has been increased by PKR 500,000, raising salaries from PKR 2 million to PKR 2.5 million. Similarly, players in category D will now receive PKR 1.5 million per month, up from PKR 1.2 million, marking a PKR 300,000 increment.
However, category B players did not receive any salary increase under the revised contracts.
This year’s central contracts carry a notable change, as the PCB confirmed that no player has been placed in category A. Instead, the 30 contracted players have been divided equally into categories B, C, and D — 10 players each. Last year’s list comprised 27 players, but the pool has now been expanded to 30, with 12 new entrants making the cut.
New Entrants in Central Contracts
The fresh faces included in this year’s list are: Ahmed Daniyal, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Mirza, and Sufyan Moqim.
Promotions Based on Performance
Five cricketers have been rewarded with promotions following impressive performances in the last season. Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, and Shadab Khan have all moved up from category C to category B.
Players Retaining Their Positions
Nine players have retained their contracts in their respective categories. Among them are Abdullah Shafique, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, and Saud Shakeel in category C, while Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, and Mohammad Wasim Jnr remain in category D. Pakistan’s ace fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi continues in category B.
Players Missing Out
On the flip side, eight players who were part of last year’s contracts did not feature this time. These include Aamir Jamal, Haseebullah, Kamran Ghulam, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Muhammad Irfan Khan, and Usman Khan — all previously placed in category D.
The updated contracts highlight the PCB’s focus on rewarding consistent performers and expanding opportunities for emerging talent, while also revising pay structures to better compensate those in the lower categories.
