Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has finalized a contract with senior players for a three-year period, starting July 1, 2023, and ending June 30, 2026. An important shift from the previous year’s approach, this decision involves 25 cricketers and a share of ICC revenue.
This year’s central contract committee has merged red-ball and white-ball contracts, unlike last year. To promote transparency in the selection process, this merger aims to assess players based on their contributions to winning matches.
PCB’s Central Contracts Structure
Here are the player categories and their corresponding monthly retainers, including ICC revenue:
Category A (3 players): 202%
Category B (6 players): 144%
Category C (2 players): 135%
Category D (14 players): 127%
Following is a list of players who have been awarded contracts:
Category A: Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi
Category B: Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, and Shadab Khan
Category C: Imad Wasim and Abdullah Shafique
Category D: Fahim Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Ihsanullah, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmad, Saud Shakeel, Shahnawaz Dahani, Shan Masood, Usama Mir, and Zaman Khan
Additionally, players will see substantial increases in match fees: 50% in Test matches, 25% in ODIs, and 12.5% in T20Is. Centrally contracted players will also receive 50% of their international match fee and will be able to compete in two foreign leagues each season.
The financial model for these three-year contracts is locked, but player performance will be evaluated every 12 months. A new central contract cycle will begin on July 1, 2023, after the previous one expired on June 30, 2022.
Statements from PCB Officials and Players
According to PCB Management Committee Chairperson, Zaka Ashraf, the players are crucial to Pakistan cricket’s success and well-being.
Babar Azam, Pakistan’s captain, hailed the deal as historic and commended Chairman Zaka Ashraf for personally participating in the negotiations.
The PCB’s Director of International Cricket Operations, Usman Wahla, praised the central contract deal as a significant milestone in recognizing the value of cricketers on and off the field.
PCB’s three-year central contracts represent a historic step for Pakistani cricket, ensuring financial stability and motivation for the players while preparing them for international success. As the ICC Men’s World Cup approaches, cricket fans are eagerly anticipating their team’s performance.
