The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a substantial increase in its budget for player salaries and match fees, allocating Rs1.1 billion for this purpose in 2024. A total of 45 cricketers will be awarded central contracts divided into five categories, reflecting a significant enhancement in remuneration aimed at strengthening the national cricket structure.
In the men’s segment, players in the top Category A/B for Tests and ODIs will earn Rs1.5 million per Test, Rs750,000 for ODIs, and Rs500,000 for T20 Internationals. Category A players in Tests will receive Rs1.5 million, Rs650,000 for ODIs, and Rs450,000 for T20Is. Those in Category B/C, covering ODIs and T20Is, will be paid Rs900,000 for Tests, Rs750,000 for ODIs, and Rs500,000 for T20Is. Category C players specializing in T20 Internationals will get Rs700,000 for Tests and Rs500,000 for both ODIs and T20Is.
Currently, the 30 centrally contracted male players earn Rs1,257,795 for Tests, Rs644,620 for ODIs, and Rs418,584 for T20Is. Domestic central contracts for men remain unchanged. In total, contracts will be awarded to 175 players across four categories: 30 in Category One receiving Rs350,000 monthly; 55 in Category Two earning Rs250,000; 55 in Category Three paid Rs150,000; and 35 young players in Category Four receiving Rs140,000 per month.
Match fees for Quaid-e-Azam Trophy participants have seen a sharp increase from Rs30,000 to Rs100,000, while reserve players’ match fees have risen from Rs15,000 to Rs50,000.
In a significant development for women’s cricket, central contract fees have been raised considerably. The first four categories have seen a 33.33% increase, while the fifth category has been boosted by 50%. Category A players will now earn Rs600,000, up from Rs450,000; Category B from Rs375,000 to Rs500,000; Category C from Rs225,000 to Rs300,000; Category D from Rs150,000 to Rs200,000; and Category E from Rs100,000 to Rs150,000.
Women’s domestic central contracts remain unchanged. In the Gold category, 20 players will receive Rs55,000 monthly, while 50 players in the Silver category will earn Rs40,000. Match fees for senior women and Under-19 players have also been increased, with ODI fees rising from Rs100,000 to Rs150,000 and T20 fees from Rs60,000 to Rs100,000. Under-19 players will now be paid Rs80,000 for ODIs and Rs40,000 for T20 matches.
Meanwhile, the PCB has introduced two new women’s domestic tournaments: the Super Three One-Day and Super Three T20 competitions, with budgets of Rs70.57 million and Rs59.13 million respectively, underscoring the board’s commitment to expanding and investing in women’s cricket.
