[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text dp_text_size=”size-4″]Lahore – The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially announced that it has successfully negotiated a three-year central contract agreement with its senior players, effective from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2026.
As per a press release published on the PCB website, this “significant agreement” will encompass 25 cricketers and include a portion of ICC revenue. Notably, red-ball and white-ball national contracts have been consolidated this year, a decision proposed by the central contract committee. This move aims to assess players based on their contributions to winning matches and promote a fair and transparent selection process.
The selected players will be categorized into four groups, each with substantial increases in monthly retainers, with the ICC revenue integrated into the overall monthly compensation:
– Category A (3 players): 202%
– Category B (6 players): 144%
– Category C (2 players): 135%
– Category D (14 players): 127%
The list of players awarded contracts is as follows:
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
Read more : PCB Resolves Players Central Contract Issue Ahead of World Cup 2023
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
Players’ match fees will also see substantial increases, with a 50% increment in Test matches, 25% in ODIs, and 12.5% in T20Is. Centrally contracted players participating in domestic cricket will receive 50% of the international match fee. Additionally, players will have the opportunity to participate in two foreign leagues per season.
The three-year contract term will have its financial structure locked in for the entire period, with player performance evaluations scheduled every 12 months. The previous central contract cycle expired on June 30, and the new agreement will take effect on July 1, 2023.
PCB Management Committee Chairperson Zaka Ashraf expressed his satisfaction, stating, “We believe that our players are the true assets of Pakistan cricket, and it is our utmost priority to ensure their well-being and provide them with the best possible services.”
Pakistan cricket team captain Babar Azam also commented on the historic deal, highlighting the fair and beneficial nature of the agreement for both parties. He commended Chairman Zaka Ashraf for overseeing the negotiations and emphasized the significance of the deal for Pakistan cricket.
PCB Director for International Cricket Operations Usman Wahla lauded the deal as a recognition of the true value of cricketers, both on and off the field, and a testament to teamwork within Pakistan’s cricket history.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
