The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a major change to its central contracts system, replacing the traditional grading structure with a new format-based model from the 2026 contracting cycle.
The decision was revealed during a media briefing in Lahore, where PCB officials outlined a revamped framework aimed at better reflecting the different demands of modern-day cricket.
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Under the new structure, the long-standing A, B, C and D categories will be replaced by five separate player tracks based on the formats they primarily play.
The highest category, Track AB, will be reserved for players who feature regularly in both Test and ODI cricket. The PCB said this track is designed for cricketers capable of performing across multiple formats.
Players in this category may still be selected for T20 Internationals when required, but such appearances will not affect their classification.
Track A will be dedicated to Test specialists, allowing players to focus on red-ball cricket and domestic first-class competitions without the demands of limited-overs formats.
For white-ball players, the PCB has introduced Track BC, which combines ODI and T20 International specialists into a single category.
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Meanwhile, Track C has been created for T20-focused players and those actively involved in franchise cricket around the world.
The board said this category acknowledges the growing importance of franchise leagues while maintaining players’ commitments to the national side.
Track D will serve as a development pathway for emerging cricketers progressing through the National Cricket Academy and Pakistan’s high-performance system. The category will feature internal tiers, allowing players to move up or down based on their performances.
According to the PCB, the new model aims to provide clearer career progression, strengthen accountability, and ensure long-term support for Test cricket while adapting to the increasing demands of white-ball and franchise cricket.
The board said players will now be contracted according to their primary format responsibilities instead of being grouped under a single grading system.
It described the approach as a role-based structure that rewards players according to the specific requirements of the formats they represent.
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PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said the revised framework would improve transparency and create a clearer understanding of expectations for players and stakeholders.
The new contracts system will also include a three-stage evaluation process covering fitness and medical assessments, participation in domestic cricket, and performance analysis in relevant formats.
The PCB stressed that player welfare and regular involvement in domestic cricket remain key components of the new structure.
It added that special incentives have been introduced to support red-ball cricket at a time when franchise leagues continue to grow around the world.
Naqvi noted that cricket boards globally are facing similar challenges in balancing international cricket with franchise commitments, and said Pakistan has chosen structural reforms to address those concerns.
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The PCB confirmed that individual contract categories and financial details will not be made public at this stage.
According to the board, the new system represents a long-term strategy designed to modernise Pakistan cricket while preserving the importance of its traditional formats.
