The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has introduced a completely revamped central contract system for the 2026-27 season, replacing the traditional grading model with a format-based structure designed to reward players according to their specialisation.
According to ESPNcricinfo, the new contracts will run from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, and include revised salary packages, updated match fees, stricter eligibility criteria and new rules governing participation in overseas leagues.
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New format-based contract categories
Under the new system, players will be placed into five different tracks based on the formats they primarily play.
Category AB
This category includes players who are considered important in both Test and ODI cricket.
Category A
Reserved exclusively for Test specialists.
Category BC
Includes players who feature in both ODI and T20I cricket.
Category C
Designed for T20 specialists.
Category D
A pathway category for emerging cricketers.
The PCB has also introduced two salary tiers within Tracks AB, A, BC and C.
READ: PCB introduces new format-based central contracts system for players
While salaries differ between tiers, eligibility requirements and league participation rules remain the same within each track.
Monthly salaries under the new contract structure
Category AB (Test and ODI players)
- Tier 1: PKR 4.8 million per month
- Tier 2: PKR 3.8 million per month
Category A (Test specialists)
- Tier 1: PKR 4 million per month
- Tier 2: PKR 3.6 million per month
Category BC (ODI and T20I players)
- Tier 1: PKR 3.4 million per month
- Tier 2: PKR 2.6 million per month
Category C (T20 specialists)
- Tier 1: PKR 2.6 million per month
- Tier 2: PKR 2 million per month
Category D (Emerging players)
- PKR 1 million per month
Match fees for each category
Although players are assigned to specific tracks, selectors will still be free to pick them in any format.
Category AB players
- Test: PKR 1.5 million
- ODI: PKR 750,000
- T20I: PKR 500,000
Category A players
- Test: PKR 1.5 million
- ODI: PKR 650,000
- T20I: PKR 450,000
Category BC players
- ODI: PKR 750,000
- T20I: PKR 500,000
- Test: PKR 900,000
Category C players
- ODI: PKR 500,000
- T20I: PKR 500,000
- Test: PKR 700,000 (if selected)
Who is eligible for a central contract?
To qualify for a central contract under the PCB’s new system, a player must have remained active in international cricket during the previous 12 months.
READ: ICC approves tentative dates, format for ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2027
The minimum eligibility requirement is participation in at least four Test matches or six One Day Internationals (ODIs), or six Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is).
Players who fail to meet any of these appearance thresholds will not be considered for the main central contract categories.
These requirements apply to Tracks AB, A, BC and C. The emerging Track D category is exempt.
Additional requirements players must meet
To qualify for and retain a contract, players must pass a three-stage assessment process.
Fitness and medical assessment
Players must clear medical and fitness evaluations. The PCB will conduct screenings every four months.
Domestic cricket participation
Players must maintain a minimum level of domestic cricket involvement.
- Track AB players must play at least four first-class and four List A matches annually.
- Track A players must play a minimum of six first-class matches per year.
- White-ball and T20 specialists must remain available for their contracted formats and continue participating in domestic competitions.
Performance evaluation
Players will be assessed on their performances in international and domestic cricket.
The selection panel’s assessment will account for only 15 per cent of the final evaluation, while the remaining 85 per cent will be based on performance data and fitness standards.
Overseas league participation rules
One of the biggest changes involves No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for overseas leagues.
Category C players (T20 specialists)
There will be no limit on the number of overseas leagues they can play. The PCB expects these players to supplement their earnings through franchise cricket.
Category BC players
May participate in two overseas T20 leagues per contract cycle, in addition to the PSL.
Category AB players
May participate in one overseas T20 league per contract cycle.
Category A players (Test specialists)
Will not be allowed to play overseas white-ball leagues apart from the PSL. However, they may participate in red-ball competitions in leading cricket nations.
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All contracted players must remain fully available for the Pakistan Super League and pass fitness checks before receiving NOCs.
Bonus structure for major victories
The PCB has also introduced a performance-based bonus system.
Players will receive enhanced rewards for victories against higher-ranked teams, while ICC tournament success carries the biggest incentives.
According to the report, a Pakistan victory in an ICC tournament under the new structure would earn players a bonus worth 500 per cent of their match fee.
Why PCB changed the system
PCB officials, including chairman Mohsin Naqvi, white-ball head coach Mike Hesson and director academies Aaqib Javed, unveiled the new model earlier this week.
The board says the new structure is intended to improve transparency, clearly define expectations and provide better financial support for players across different formats, particularly those committed to red-ball cricket.
