PCB Reveals Pakistan's Central Contract 2026-27 Date; Chartbusting Budget Kept

PCB to announce central contracts [Source: AFP]

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to announce the list of Pakistan’s centrally contracted players within the next few days. As per the report, the announcement will be made shortly before the Pakistan cricket team take off for its two-match Test tour of the West Indies. 

A source close to the PCB has informed that as many as 45 Pakistan cricketers will be given new central contracts under a new format. It is worth noting that not long ago, the PCB confirmed that the board will not be identifying players in the central contracts with the traditional A to D categories.

Instead, the PCB will be using specialization-based categories, as stated by the source close to the board. 

Pakistan players set for windfall contracts before WI tour

The PCB will be handing out central contracts to roughly 45 Pakistan cricketers within the next few days, i.e., before Pakistan’s Test tour of West Indies this month. As published by the Deccan Herald, players will be given the contracts under specialization-based categories, namely AB, A, B and C, depending on the players in red-ball and white-ball formats. 

Overall, the PCB has reserved a budget of PKR 1100 million for the payout.

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Players belonging in the AB category (ODIs and Tests) will get paid PKR 1.5 million for Tests and PKR 750,000 for ODIs. Similarly, players in the T20I squad will receive PKR 500,000 under the same category. 

Here is a look at the entire structure of PCB central contracts for Pakistan players depending on their categories. 

As of now, the players placed in PCB’s current central contracts receive PKR 1.25 million fees for Tests. For ODIs, players receive PKR 640,000 and for T20Is, the PCB hands out PKR 185,000.

Domestic players to be paid in old categories

The PCB source also added that the board has not enhanced the monthly retainer contracts for Pakistan’s domestic cricketers. Moreover, domestic players in the country will continue to be paid under the four old categories. 

The source further stated that the PCB will select 175 Pakistani domestic cricketers for monthly retainers. Around 30 of those players will receive PKR 350,000 per month, 55 will receive PKR 250,000, another 55 will get PKR 150,000 and the remaining 35 cricketers will get PKR 140,000 per month. 

PCB increases central contract share for Pakistan Women players

The PCB has revised the central contracts for Pakistan Women cricketers, as per the source. Players belonging in the top three categories will be entitled to a 33 percent increment, while players placed in the final category will receive a 50 percent increment from their previous salaries. 

Pakistan to tour West Indies for WTC 2025-27 fixtures

After suffering a humiliating 0-2 Test series defeat in Bangladesh, the Pakistan cricket team will now fly to West Indies to play another two-match rubber. The first Test will be played between July 25 and July 29 later this month in Trinidad and Tobago. 

The series also constitutes a part of the ongoing 2025-27 WTC cycle.

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