The Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) central contracts for the 2026–27 season remain unannounced, with Head Coach Mike Hesson and the national selectors seeking further assessments of players before finalising the new agreements, according to a report by The Express Tribune’s Saleem Khaliq.
The delay comes amid uncertainty over the composition of the contracted player list and growing interest among several Pakistan cricketers in Category C deals, which could allow them to pursue lucrative overseas franchise opportunities without the restrictions attached to higher-paying contracts.
The proposed agreements will cover July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, but the PCB has yet to confirm which players will receive contracts or how they will be classified under its revised five-category structure.
Why PCB’s central contracts have been delayed
The PCB had initially prepared a list of 30 players and briefed the national squad on the proposed contracts before its July tour of the West Indies and England.
However, Pakistan’s disappointing performances in England, including a whitewash, disrupted the process and prompted a reassessment of the preliminary selections.
Hesson and the selectors are now considering performances in international fixtures and the domestic first-class season before making their recommendations.
Explaining the delay, a source told NDTV Sports: “The reason for this is that head coach Mike Hesson who is coaching the national team in all formats and the national selectors want to have a look at the performances of the players in the ongoing international matches at home and also the ongoing first class domestic season before they reach a decision.”
The announcement could be delayed until after the ODI tri-series involving Pakistan, Sri Lanka and England, running from October 18 to 31, or potentially until the conclusion of Pakistan’s two-Test series against Sri Lanka in November.
Pakistan opened the tri-series with a 37-run victory over Sri Lanka, scoring 305 all out before dismissing their opponents for 268. Salman Ali Agha led the batting effort with 107 from 90 deliveries, while Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi claimed three wickets each.
The source added: “Whenever the central contracts are given out, they will be given in backdate as the last central contracts expired on 31st July.”
Why Pakistan cricketers want Category C contracts
While the PCB continues to review its contract allocations, several players are reportedly seeking places in Category C rather than pursuing the higher retainers available elsewhere in the system.
The preference is being driven by the greater freedom Category C players would have to participate in overseas franchise leagues.
Under the proposed framework, Test specialists would not receive no-objection certificates (NOCs) for foreign franchise competitions, although they would remain eligible for red-ball county cricket and other permitted forms of the game.
Players in other senior categories would face limits on overseas league appearances, whereas Category C, intended for short-format specialists, would not impose equivalent restrictions.
Cricketers seeking Category C status have reportedly assured the authorities that they would remain available to represent Pakistan in any format whenever required.
The financial incentive is significant because overseas leagues can provide earnings that exceed the value of even the PCB’s highest proposed central contracts.
Franchise earnings could outweigh PCB retainers
Saim Ayub reportedly earned PKR 126 million (approx. USD 453K) during a single Pakistan Super League (PSL) season.
Players participating in overseas leagues could potentially earn PKR 200–220 million (approx. USD 719K–791K) or more annually, according to the reporting.
By comparison, the highest proposed PCB monthly retainer is PKR 4.8 million (approx. USD 17.3K), equivalent to PKR 57.6 million (approx. USD 207K) over 12 months.
Including international match fees and other payments, a leading Pakistan cricketer could earn approximately PKR 80–90 million (approx. USD 288K–324K) annually through the national contract structure.
Consequently, a lower PCB retainer combined with greater access to franchise cricket could be more financially attractive than a higher-category contract with restrictions on overseas participation.
The PCB, however, will make the final decisions on player classifications and the terms governing overseas league participation.
How much will Pakistan cricketers earn under the proposed contracts?
The PCB has reportedly allocated PKR 1.1 billion (approx. USD 3.96 million) for monthly retainers and match fees under the proposed central contract system.
The five categories — A, AB, BC, C and D — would provide different remuneration levels based on players’ roles and contract tiers.
Category A, intended for Test specialists, would offer monthly retainers of PKR 4 million (approx. USD 14.4K) or PKR 3.6 million (approx. USD 13K), depending on the tier.
Category AB players would receive PKR 4.8 million (approx. USD 17.3K) or PKR 3.8 million (approx. USD 13.7K) per month.
Category BC would provide monthly retainers of PKR 3.4 million (approx. USD 12.2K) or PKR 2.6 million (approx. USD 9.4K).
Category C players would earn PKR 2.6 million (approx. USD 9.4K) or PKR 2 million (approx. USD 7.2K) per month, while emerging cricketers in Category D would receive PKR 1 million (approx. USD 3.6K).
International match fees would be paid separately.
Category A and AB players would receive PKR 1.5 million (approx. USD 5.4K) per Test. Category AB players would also earn PKR 750,000 (approx. USD 2.7K) for an ODI and PKR 500,000 (approx. USD 1.8K) for a T20 International.
Category C players would receive PKR 500,000 (approx. USD 1.8K) per ODI or T20 International and PKR 700,000 (approx. USD 2.5K) if selected for a Test.
The proposed remuneration levels have not yet been confirmed through the announcement of individual contracts.
PCB’s player assessment system could bring further changes
The preliminary list of 30 players was reportedly prepared with assistance from software developed by an American company, which assessed domestic and international performances across formats.
Selectors were also provided with a 15-point evaluation framework covering previous performances, current form and future prospects.
Under the reported assessment criteria, players need to achieve scores between 50 and 60 points to qualify for central contracts.
Mohammad Rizwan and former Test Captain Shan Masood are among the players whose positions could be affected by changes to the initial list.
The revised structure also includes minimum international appearance requirements for senior-category players.
Cricketers in Categories A, AB, BC and C must have played at least four Tests, six ODIs or six T20 Internationals during the relevant year. Category D, reserved for emerging players, is exempt from that requirement.
All contracted players would also be required to participate in domestic cricket in their respective formats and meet the PCB’s fitness and performance standards.
The PCB’s eventual announcement will therefore settle two important questions for Pakistan’s players: their place in the national contract structure and the extent of their freedom to earn from overseas franchise cricket.
