The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made significant changes to the Central Contracts, according to sources on Friday. The previous red and white ball category system will no longer be in place, as the PCB has introduced a new contract distribution model consisting of four categories - A, B, C, and D.
The number of players in the central contract has also been reduced from 33 to 25 or 26 players. Notably, the players are expected to receive a historic increase of approximately 50% in their match fees under these new contracts.
Category A includes top earners such as Captain Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi, who will receive a monthly retainer of Rs4.5 million each - almost four times higher than last year's offer. Players in Category B can expect to earn around Rs3 million, while those in Categories C and D will earn between Rs0.75 to 1.5 million.
It's important to mention that the contracts expired on June 30, but they were extended for a month due to uncertainty surrounding the chairmanship in the PCB.
Following the announcement of the new selection committee and approval of the PCB management committee chairman Zaka Ashraf, the PCB will proceed with handing out the central contracts to the players.
Earlier, former Test cricketer Misbah-ul-Haq was appointed as the head of the high-profile Cricket Technical Committee. This committee also includes former Test cricketers Inzamam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Hafeez. They will be responsible for providing recommendations on various cricket-related matters, including the overall domestic structure, scheduling, playing conditions, appointment of national selection committees, national team coaches, central and domestic contracts, and plans for the development of umpires, referees, and curators.
Notably, the committee has the authority to invite additional cricket experts for consultation and will regularly report to the head of the PCB Management Committee. These measures are aimed at ensuring transparency and a well-informed decision-making process within the PCB.