Amid ongoing discussions about the pay cuts for Pakistan’s domestic male cricketers—expected to be reconsidered following public backlash—the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has unveiled its domestic contract list for the 2024-25 season, awarding contracts to 90 women cricketers. This marks a rise from the previous season’s 79 contracts and includes 10 capped players, 62 emerging players, and 18 Under-19 players. However, concerns persist over the financial viability of these contracts.
The monthly retainers for contracted women cricketers stand at PKR 35,000 (approx. USD 125), which is lower than the mandated minimum wage for unskilled laborers in Pakistan (PKR 37,000). Additionally, the match fee of PKR 20,000 (approx. USD 71) offers limited financial incentive, and players have reported not receiving any daily allowances this season.
Despite the PCB’s claim that the 12-month retainers aim to expand the talent pool at the grassroots level and encourage young players to pursue cricket professionally, the financial figures tell a different story. Limited match opportunities further compound the issue, with senior women cricketers able to play a maximum of 31 days of domestic cricket per season—assuming they make the playing XI in every match and reach the finals of each competition. This results in a maximum possible earning of PKR 1,040,000 (approx. USD 3,700) per year, which significantly restricts financial sustainability.
The earnings become even more inadequate for players not regularly selected, with match fees dropping to PKR 10,000 (approx. USD 35) per game. Additionally, professional expenses such as training, diet management, and personal coaching can cost up to PKR 600,000 annually, forcing most players to compromise on their development. One domestic player revealed, “Living in Pakistan, not everyone can afford a professional athlete life. It’s up to you how well you manage your cricket training within the means that you have. I end up spending approximately PKR 400,000 on my cricket, but I can’t afford a personal trainer.”
The issue extends beyond financial compensation to structural inconsistencies. The latest domestic contract list includes Nida Dar and Aliya Riaz, both of whom were excluded from central contracts despite being regular national team players throughout the season. Dar even captained the side at one point during the ongoing cycle, making their omission particularly questionable.
When PCB Chairman Naqvi assumed his role, he emphasized that the board’s funds should not be “locked away” but instead used to benefit players at all levels. The board reportedly increased its spending on women’s cricket from PKR 70 million to PKR 240 million, yet there has been little evidence of major investments in facilities or improved earnings for women cricketers.
A comparative analysis with other cricket boards highlights the stark disparity. The PCB receives an annual ICC revenue share of USD 34.51 million, just slightly less than Cricket Australia’s USD 37.53 million. However, Australia has heavily invested in its women’s game. Under its 2023 agreement with the Australian Cricketers’ Association, domestic women cricketers, even those not in the national team, earn an average of USD 96,000 annually. This is nearly 25 times the highest possible earnings of a Pakistani domestic player. This commitment was made despite Cricket Australia suffering financial losses of USD 21.34 million in one year and USD 16.9 million in the previous year.
Similarly, India’s Women’s Premier League (WPL) offers significantly better pay scales. The lowest-earning WPL player makes INR 10 lakh (approx. USD 11,500) for a three-week tournament, while the highest-paid player earns INR 2 crore (approx. USD 230,500). Even New Zealand Cricket, which receives around USD 6 million less than PCB from the ICC, ensures its domestic women cricketers earn a minimum of USD 11,000 annually—three times what their Pakistani counterparts can potentially make.
Meanwhile, PCB remains far from bridging this gap. The board has openly disclosed the earnings of male cricketers, revealing that a player featuring in one Quaid-e-Azam Trophy match earns PKR 200,000 (approx. USD 715), while a ‘Grade A’ contracted domestic male cricketer receives PKR 550,000 (approx. USD 2,000) in monthly retainers. Even the lowest-graded male player earns PKR 250,000 (approx. USD 890) per month.
According to figures revealed by Rashid Latif, the match fees alone for senior and U-19 men’s domestic cricketers amount to USD 390,361—far exceeding the entire reported budget for women’s cricket (USD 250,060) last season. Moreover, men’s domestic cricketers benefit from greater playing opportunities and professional leagues, further widening the disparity.
Beyond financial struggles, Pakistani women cricketers face additional social challenges. PCB’s infrastructural and financial neglect has only made their journey harder. Delayed payments, inconsistent domestic structures, and abrupt training camp changes have hindered progress. Given Pakistan’s deep passion for cricket and its standing as the fourth-highest revenue-generating board, it is concerning that its women’s team remains among the lowest-ranked Full Member sides with minimal international league exposure.
While the global cricketing landscape moves towards pay parity, PCB’s approach continues to reflect significant inequalities. Without urgent intervention and structured investment, the future of women’s cricket in Pakistan remains precarious.
