PCB’s new top-tier contract could earn Pakistan stars Rs150 million a year

Pakistan’s leading all-format cricketers could reportedly earn up to Rs150 million annually under the PCB’s revamped contracts system, with top-tier retainers alone touching Rs4.8 million per month.

WEBDESK – MediaBites News

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly introduced a sweeping new central contracts structure for the 2026-27 season, replacing the traditional A, B, C and D categories with a five-track model based on format specialisation.

According to media reports, the highest-paying category, Track AB, has been designed for players active in both Tests and ODIs. Cricketers placed in this elite bracket are expected to receive a monthly retainer of Rs4.8 million, amounting to nearly Rs57.6 million annually before match fees and bonuses.

With Test match fees set at Rs1.5 million and ODI fees at Rs750,000, a leading all-format player could reportedly earn around Rs80 million annually through PCB retainers and international appearances alone. Factoring in earnings from the Pakistan Super League and one approved overseas league participation, total yearly income may rise to approximately Rs150 million.

The PCB has not officially confirmed individual player salaries or category placements, but reports suggest the new system aims to reward format-specific commitments while protecting red-ball cricket from the growing financial pull of global T20 leagues.

Track A, reserved for red-ball specialists, is expected to offer monthly retainers of up to Rs4 million alongside domestic first-class match fees of Rs750,000.

Meanwhile, Track BC — for players focused on ODIs and T20 Internationals — could offer retainers of around Rs 1.8 million per month. Track C, aimed at T20 specialists and franchise cricketers, is expected to pay between Rs1.2 million and Rs1.5 million monthly.

Players in Track C may also receive unlimited No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for overseas leagues, subject to participation in at least 10 domestic T20 matches and mandatory fitness clearances.

Track D has reportedly been designed for emerging players attached to the National Cricket Academy, offering retainers of up to Rs1 million per month along with access to development programmes and Pakistan A tours.

Reports further clarified that players in Track AB would still remain eligible for T20 Internationals if selected. This means stars such as Babar Azam could continue to represent Pakistan across formats, even if categorised primarily as Test and ODI specialists.

The PCB has also proposed major performance incentives, including a 500 per cent match-fee bonus for winning an ICC event and a 300 per cent bonus for lifting an Asian Cricket Council title.

Pakistan’s packed Test schedule over the next 18 months — including two tours of England and one tour of Australia — is believed to be one of the driving factors behind the revised contracts framework.

The board is yet to officially announce the final player list and contract allocations for the 2026-27 season.