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| Shaheen, Babar, and Rizwan |
Pakistan’s cricket players are set to receive significant increases in their new central contracts, which are being described as “historic.” Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi, who are in the top category of contracts, could earn as much as PKR 4.5 million (USD 15,900 approx) per month as retainers, which is four times more than what was offered to top players in the previous year’s contracts.
The new contracts are expected to do away with last year’s format, where players were split based on their specialization in red- and white-ball cricket. Instead, they will return to the previous system with four different categories of players. Babar, Rizwan, and Afridi, being the captain and cross-format stars, will fall into category A.
Players in category B are likely to receive around PKR 3 million (USD 10,600 approx), while those in category C and D will get between PKR 0.75-1.5 million (USD 2650-5300 approx). These retainer values, if approved, represent the largest increase in years and are considered a “historic” offering by officials.
Although the increase is significant, it is somewhat offset by the depreciation of the Pakistan rupee in the past year and the country’s high inflation rate. However, the retainer increase is still more than double, particularly for the top category. The timing of this increase comes a year before the ICC’s new revenue distribution model takes effect, which will significantly increase the PCB’s annual earnings to PKR 9.6 billion (USD 34 million), more than double the earnings in the previous ICC rights cycle.
The significant increase in central contracts will make a notable difference for Pakistan’s cricket players, who have historically been among the lowest paid internationally. These raises come as a relief, considering the restrictive policies around playing in foreign T20 leagues that have further limited their earning opportunities. Pakistan’s players were previously not allowed to participate in the IPL, and their participation in other leagues has been subject to changing policies with each new administration.
Last year, leading players even delayed signing the contracts due to their dissatisfaction with the restrictive terms regarding league participation under the then administration of Ramiz Raja. This has been a recurring issue, as players expressed discontent with terms twice since 2019, signaling a situation akin to a labor dispute in the absence of a players’ association.
While the number of leagues players will be allowed to participate in next year has not been finalized, it remains a topic of ongoing negotiations. As of now, players in the top two categories are to be allowed one league outside of the PSL, while those in lower categories may have more opportunities.
The PCB acknowledges that players not involved in these leagues miss out on significant earnings that could be life-changing. Senior players in demand on the league circuit could potentially earn two to three times more per year from league deals than they currently do.
There is an understanding that the league circuit needs to be treated as a separate 12-month calendar, and players’ commitments should be worked out accordingly. The PCB is open to a more lenient policy with regard to leagues, and negotiations have taken place with the ILT20 regarding the participation of Pakistan players in the current season.
Domestic contracts with likely increased retainers and the prospect of enhanced earnings from playing in two first-class tournaments are also expected to be presented to players soon.
Final discussions with players are scheduled to take place over the weekend, and the outcomes will be presented to Zaka Ashraf, the PCB head, early next week.
