PCB allocates rs1.1b for players’ salaries and match fees

WEB DESK: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a significant increase in its budget for players’ salaries and match fees, with 45 cricketers set to receive central contracts across five categories this year.

The board has allocated 1,100m rupees for monthly salaries and match fees, reflecting a major boost to cricketers’ remuneration amid efforts to strengthen the national setup, according to Express Tribune.

Men’s contracts see substantial hikes

Players in the top Category A/B (Test and ODI) will receive match fees of 1.5 million rupees for Tests, 750,000 rupees for ODIs, and 500,000 rupees for T20Is. Category A (Test) players will earn 1.5m rupees per Test, 650,000 rupees for ODIs, and 450,000 rupees for T20Is. Those in Category B/C (ODI and T20I) will get 900,000 rupees for Tests, 750,000 rupees for ODIs, and 500,000 rupees for T20Is, while Category C (T20 International) players will receive 700,000 rupees for Tests and 500,000 rupees each for ODIs and T20Is.

Currently, all 30 centrally contracted players earn 1,257,795 rupees for Tests, 644,620 rupees for ODIs, and 418,584 rupees for T20Is. Domestic central contracts for men remain unchanged. Overall, contracts will be awarded to 175 players across four categories: 30 in Category One receiving 350,000 rupees monthly; 55 in Category Two getting 250,000 rupees; 55 in Category Three earning 150,000 rupees; and 35 young players in Category Four paid 140,000 rupees per month.

The match fee for Quaid-e-Azam Trophy players has risen sharply from 30,000 to 100,000 rupees, while reserve players will now receive 50,000 rupees per match instead of 15,000.

Women’s cricket receives major uplift

Women cricketers’ central contract fees have been revised upwards, with the first four categories seeing a 33.33pc increase and the last category a 50pc raise.

Category A players will now receive 600,000 rupees instead of 450,000; Category B has increased from 375,000 to 500,000 rupees; Category C will get 300,000 rupees after an addition of 75,000; Category D will receive 200,000 rupees instead of 150,000; and Category E will be paid 150,000 rupees instead of 100,000.

There has been no change in the women’s domestic central contracts. In the Gold category, 20 players will receive 55,000 rupees monthly, while 50 players in the Silver category will earn 40,000 rupees.

Match fees for senior women and Under-19 cricketers have also been enhanced, with ODI fees rising from 100,000 to 150,000 rupees and T20 fees from 60,000 to 100,000 rupees. Under-19 players will now receive 80,000 rupees for ODIs and 40,000 rupees for T20 matches.

The PCB has further decided to introduce two new tournaments in women’s domestic cricket the Super Three One-Day and Super Three T20 which will cost 70.57m rupees and 59.13m rupees respectively.