(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
PCB Announces New Central Contracts: No Category A Players, Pay Raises in C and D
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has unveiled its latest list of central contracts, and the announcement has already stirred debate among fans and analysts. For the first time since the system was introduced, no player has been awarded a Category A contract—a decision many link to the team’s inconsistent performances in recent months.
Key Updates in Player Salaries
Despite the absence of Category A deals, there is good news for players in the lower brackets:
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Category C cricketers will now earn PKR 2.5 million per month, up from PKR 2 million last year.
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Category D players will take home PKR 1.5 million monthly, a boost from PKR 1.2 million.
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Category B remains unchanged, with salaries fixed at PKR 3 million per month.
The new structure reflects the PCB’s effort to widen financial support while maintaining clear performance-based tiers.
Who’s In and Who’s Out?
The PCB has distributed 30 players evenly across Categories B, C, and D, with 12 fresh faces earning contracts this year. Among the new entrants are:
Ahmed Daniyal, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Mirza, and Sufyan Moqim.
On the other hand, eight players have lost their central contracts: Aamir Jamal, Haseebullah, Kamran Ghulam, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Muhammad Irfan Khan, and Usman Khan—all of whom were previously in Category D.
What It Means Going Forward
While the lack of Category A players has become the biggest talking point, the PCB’s revised pay structure suggests a stronger focus on rewarding depth in the squad. With selectors emphasizing format-specific squads, this model could continue to shape future contracts.
