LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Monday that it will revert to its old model of granting a one-year central contract to national team players, conditional on their performance. This decision emerged from a meeting of the board’s top officials, who decided against reducing the players’ salaries despite the team’s poor performance in the T20 World Cup 2024.
The PCB stated that the central contract will now span one year, with players’ performance and fitness reviewed annually. The board emphasized that the inclusion of players in different categories will follow a well-defined process. Additionally, players’ fitness will be checked every three months, and participation in domestic cricket will be mandatory.
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Currently, Category A players, including Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi, receive Rs4.5 million per month. Category B players, such as Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah, are paid Rs3 million per month. Category C players, including Imad Wasim, earn between Rs750,000 to Rs1.5 million per month. Category D players, including Iftikhar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, and Saim Ayub, receive similar compensation as Category C players. These figures only reflect monthly salaries; players also earn match fees, win bonuses across all formats (Test, ODI, T20I), and sponsorship perks.
The existing three-year central contracts, awarded last year and effective from July 1, 2023, were influenced by player pressure for increased remunerations under then-PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf.
The PCB also addressed the issue of non-objection certificates (NOCs) for players wishing to participate in foreign leagues. A technical process will be established for issuing NOCs, and players meeting the requirements will be granted permission. Recently, players like Babar, Naseem, and Rizwan faced difficulties obtaining NOCs to play abroad.
PCB Chairman Naqvi stressed that promotions will be based on fitness and performance, with no tolerance for players who do not meet the criteria. He highlighted a zero-tolerance policy for indiscipline and grouping within the team, citing a recent incident involving fast bowler Shaheen Afridi and batting coach Mohammad Yousuf.
Naqvi warned that players involved in grouping would face severe action, and officials should not consider recommendations for undisciplined players. The PCB aims to foster unity and consensus within the team, ensuring a disciplined and performance-oriented environment.
