The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has implemented a significant revision to its central contracts system, introducing format-specific agreements alongside a data-driven evaluation framework designed to enhance player development and safeguard the future of Test cricket.
This revamped structure was ratified in a meeting led by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi in Lahore. Under the new system, players will receive distinct contracts for Test, One-Day International (ODI), and T20 International formats, with Test cricketers benefiting from additional incentives and protections.
Moreover, the PCB has established dedicated pathways for each format, requiring players to fulfill specific performance criteria to qualify for a central contract. This approach aims to ensure that contracts are awarded based on merit and format specialization.
Discussing the reforms, Chairman Mohsin Naqvi emphasized the shift towards a performance-based system grounded in data rather than subjective judgment. He highlighted the increased responsibilities of the selection committee and questioned the consistency of players’ participation in Test and domestic cricket over the past five years.
Naqvi clarified that the new framework is not reliant on artificial intelligence but is predominantly database-driven, with 85 percent of the contract process based on statistical data. He urged appreciation for the enhanced transparency this initiative brings to player selection and contract allocation.
Only those players who meet the PCB’s established regulations and performance benchmarks will be eligible for central contracts, reinforcing a meritocratic approach.
High Performance Director Aaqib Javed acknowledged previous deficiencies in the contract system, noting the challenges of managing Test, ODI, and T20 cricket under a single framework. He revealed that players will now be ranked through an international evaluation system, with Category A contracts designated for Test players, Category B for ODI specialists, and Category C for T20 experts.
PCB head coach Mike Hesson welcomed the changes, recognizing the evolving nature of cricket globally. He praised the PCB’s efforts to strengthen Test cricket while developing a balanced strategy for managing red-ball and white-ball formats.
In addition, Dr. Javed Mughal stressed the importance of fitness, stating that strict standards will be enforced without compromise. Players will undergo 24 fitness tests and regular screenings, with evaluations conducted every four months to maintain peak physical condition.
