In a bold and unprecedented move, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has unveiled its central contracts for the 2025–26 season and the decision has already sparked intense debate across the cricketing fraternity. For the first time, no Pakistani cricketer has been awarded a Category A contract, a bracket traditionally reserved for the country’s biggest stars.
No Top-Tier Contracts – A Shocking Shift
Household names like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, who have long carried Pakistan’s batting lineup, have been relegated to Category B. The PCB cited “inconsistent performances” as the reason behind this sweeping change, signalling a performance-based approach moving forward.
The contracts, effective from July 2025 to June 2026, cover 30 players who are now spread across Categories B, C, and D. Here’s how the new pay structure looks:
Category B: PKR 3 million per month (approx. 8.7 lakh)
Category C: PKR 1.5 million per month (approx. 4.3 lakh)
Category D: PKR 0.75 million per month (approx. 2.1 lakh)
In addition, PCB has revised match fees: PKR 1.25 million for a Test, PKR 6.44 lakh for an ODI, and PKR 4.18 lakh for a T20I.
Contrast with India’s Lucrative Contract Model
While Pakistan has taken a tough stance on its senior players, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) continues to reward its top performers handsomely. India’s 2024-25 annual contracts, valid from October 2024 to September 2025, feature four categories: A+, A, B, and C.
A+ Category (Rs 7 crore annually): Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja
A Category (Rs 5 crore annually): KL Rahul, Mohammed Siraj, Hardik Pandya, Shubman Gill, Mohammed Shami, Rishabh Pant
B Category (Rs 3 crore annually): Suryakumar Yadav, Kuldeep Yadav, Shreyas Iyer
C Category (Rs 1 crore annually): Ishan Kishan, Rinku Singh, Sanju Samson
This stark difference not only highlights the financial muscle of the BCCI but also showcases how India continues to maintain trust in its biggest names while nurturing emerging talent.
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| Tier | PCB Players (2025–26) | Salary (Approx.) | BCCI Players (2024–25) | Salary (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top Tier | No Players | PKR 4.5M/month (1.57 crore annually) | Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja | 7 crore annually |
| 2nd Tier | Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi, Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha | PKR 3M/month (1.05 crore annually) | KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Mohammed Siraj, Shubman Gill, Mohammed Shami, Rishabh Pant | 5 crore annually |
| 3rd Tier | Naseem Shah, Abdullah Shafique, Saud Shakeel, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Noman Ali, Sahibzada Farhan, Sajid Khan | PKR 1.5M/month (52 lakh annually) | Suryakumar Yadav, Kuldeep Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, Yashasvi Jaiswal | 3 crore annually |
| 4th Tier | Shan Masood, Mohammad Abbas, Hussain Talat, Khurram Shahzad, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Salman Mirza, Ahmed Daniyal, Sufyan Muqim | PKR 0.75M/month (26 lakh annually) | Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, Rinku Singh, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Tilak Verma, Shivam Dube, Ravi Bishnoi, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Rajat Patidar, Dhruv Jurel, Sarfaraz Khan, Nitish Reddy, Abhishek Sharma, Varun Chakaravarthy, Harshit Rana, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep | 1 crore annually |
What Does This Mean for Pakistan Cricket?
PCB’s decision sends a clear message – reputation alone is no longer enough to command top-tier pay. While it may motivate players to perform consistently, it also risks unsettling the dressing room dynamics with senior stars feeling hard done by.
With major tournaments around the corner, including the Asia Cup and the 2026 T20 World Cup, all eyes will be on whether this bold approach pushes Pakistan towards greater consistency or sparks unrest in the camp.
One thing is certain – the cricket world will be watching closely.
