Pakistan’s proposed central contracts for the 2026-27 season could provide top-category cricketers with annual earnings of Rs. 80 million to Rs. 90 million when monthly retainers, match fees, and other payments are included.
According to The Express Tribune, citing sources, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has allocated Rs. 1.1 billion for players’ monthly retainers and match fees under the proposed contracts, which will cover July 2026 to June 2027.
The highest proposed monthly retainer is Rs. 4.8 million for players in the first tier of Category AB, equivalent to Rs. 57.6 million annually before match fees and other payments. Category A Test specialists would receive Rs. 4 million or Rs. 3.6 million per month, depending on their tier.
Category BC players would earn Rs. 3.4 million or Rs. 2.6 million monthly, while T20 specialists would receive Rs. 2.6 million or Rs. 2 million. Category D players would receive Rs. 1 million per month.
Proposed match fees would vary by category and format. Category A players would receive Rs. 1.5 million per Test, Rs. 650,000 per One-Day International (ODI), and Rs. 450,000 per T20 International.
Category AB players would earn Rs. 1.5 million per Test, Rs. 750,000 per ODI, and Rs. 500,000 per T20 International. Category BC players would receive Rs. 900,000 per Test and the same white-ball match fees as Category AB. Category C players would earn Rs. 700,000 per Test and Rs. 500,000 per ODI or T20 International.
Overseas leagues could offer substantially higher earnings. Saim Ayub reportedly earned Rs. 126 million in a single Pakistan Super League (PSL) season, while players participating in foreign leagues could earn Rs. 200 million to Rs. 220 million or more annually.
These earning opportunities have reportedly encouraged several cricketers to seek Category C status, which would allow greater freedom to obtain NOCs for overseas competitions. However, the PCB retains the final say on player categories and overseas participation rules.
The post Here’s How Much Pakistani Cricketers Could Earn Under Proposed Central Contracts appeared first on ProPakistani.