Pakistan Cricket Board Introduces Format-Based Central Contracts with Significant Pay Hikes

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has introduced a format-based central contract system for the 2026-27 cycle, with significant pay hikes for red-ball (Test) players. According to a PCB source, players in the newly introduced red-ball Track A category are expected to receive around 1.5 million PKR in match fees and up to 4 million PKR in monthly retainers before taxes, a substantial increase from the previous 800,000 PKR test match fees.

A committee including white-ball head coach Mike Hesson and red-ball head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed has finalized the draft contracts, emphasizing rewards for regular Test players. Players in both Track A (Test) and Track B (white-ball) categories are anticipated to be among the highest earners, with monthly retainers ranging from 4.8 to 5 million PKR.

The PCB has also proposed performance-based incentives, including a 500% bonus on match fees for winning an ICC tournament and a 300% bonus for winning an Asian-level event like the Asia Cup.

Track B (ODI and T20I) players are expected to receive up to 1.8 million PKR monthly, while Track C players (T20 and franchise leagues) may get between 1.2 and 1.5 million PKR. Notably, the PCB is considering keeping the names and categories of centrally contracted players private, a move that has drawn criticism. The number of players to receive contracts under the new system has not been announced.