Pakistan Cricket Team Salaries & Central Contracts List

By: Cricbites | October 3, 2025

Pakistan has always been a cricket-loving nation, and its players are among the most famous in the world. With the support of their fans, Pakistani cricketers give their best to perform at home and abroad. That is why, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) gives central contracts to the best performers every year. This makes these cricketers financially stable and helps them perform at their best without any interruption. Several changes have been made in the contract categories, salaries and match fees to encourage new talent in the 2025-26 season.

In this article, we will see what the central contracts of Pakistani cricketers mean for the future of Pakistan cricket.

Understanding PCB Central Contracts

Central contracts are agreements between the PCB and the national team players. They stipulate that the cricketers receive a fixed monthly salary along with match fees. These contracts are divided into four categories, A, B, C and D, with different salaries based on performance, experience and role in the team.

Central contracts are intended to reward excellence and provide financial security to the players. Furthermore, these contracts act as a motivating factor for upcoming players striving to earn a place in the national team.

PCB Central Contract Categories & Salaries

Category A: Elite Players

Top-level players are paid PKR 4.5 million (around $15,900 or INR 13.14 lakh) per month. This category is for the team’s best performers who have put in match-winning performances.

2025-26 Update: Surprisingly, no Pakistani player has been given a Category A contract this season. The PCB blamed the poor overall performance in the previous season for the absence of Category A players.

Last season, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan were part of this group. But, now both have been demoted to Category B this year due to their recent performances.

Category A players 2025-26: None

Category B: Key Players

Category B players earn Rs 30 lakh (about $10,000 or INR 8.76 lakh) per month. This is a 144% increase in salary compared to previous years. These players are crucial to the team’s performance in big matches.

Notable updates for 2025-26:

Fakhar Zaman and Hasan Ali are new players.
Five players have been promoted from C to B, reflecting their improving form.
Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have been demoted to this category.

Category B Players:

Abrar Ahmed (Promoted)
Babar Azam (Demoted)
Fakhar Zaman (New)
Haris Rauf (Promoted)
Hasan Ali (New)
Mohammad Rizwan (Demoted)
Saim Ayub (Promoted)
Salman Ali Agha (Promoted)
Shadab Khan (Promoted)
Shaheen Shah Afridi (Retained)

Category B players are considered the backbone of the national team. This is because they are often given the responsibility of winning matches.

Category C: Emerging & Support Players

Category C contracts fetch Rs 1.5 million (approximately $5,300 or INR 4.38 lakh) per month, a 135% increase in salary. Players in this category include young talent and experienced team members who provide depth to the team.

2025-26 Updates:

Five new contracts have been awarded to rising stars.
Four players have retained their Category C positions.
Naseem Shah has been demoted from B to C due to inconsistent performances.

Category C Players:

Abdullah Shafiq (Retained)
Faheem Ashraf (New)
Hassan Nawaz (New)
Mohammad Haris (New)
Mohammad Nawaz (New)
Naseem Shah (Demoted)
Noman Ali (Retained)
Sahibzada Farhan (New)
Sajid Khan (Retained)
Sayed Shakeel (Retained)

Category C players are often utility players. In other words, they contribute across multiple formats and play key roles when their seniors are not present.

Category D: Development & Fringe Players

The last category, D, includes players who earn PKR 0.75 million (about $2,650 or INR 2.19 lakh) per month. This category often includes new talent, young players, or players recovering from injuries.

Notable updates:

Six new faces have been included.
Surprisingly, Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood has been demoted from Category B to D.

Category D Players:

Ahmed Daniyal (New)
Hussain Talat (New)
Khurram Shahzad (Retained)
Khushdil Shah (New)
Mohammad Abbas (New)
Mohammad Abbas Afridi (Retained)
Mohammad Wasim Jr. (Retained)
Salman Mirza (New)
Shaan Masood (Demoted)
Sufyan Mukim (New)

Category D players are often under observation. This is because it is believed that their performance may lead to their promotion in the future.

PCB Match Fees

In addition to central contracts, the PCB has increased match fees across all formats:

Format	New Match Fee	Approx. USD	Approx. INR
Test	PKR 1,250,000	$4,358	₹3.61 lakh
ODI	PKR 644,620	$2,247	₹1.86 lakh
T20I	PKR 418,584	$1,459	₹1.21 lakh

Increase from previous season:

Test: 50% increase
ODI: 25% increase
T20: 12.5% increase

A match fee is paid per match, which gives players an extra incentive to perform consistently in every game.

Key Insights from PCB 2025-26 Contracts

Performance-based changes: The demotion of players shows that the PCB is focusing on current form rather than past form.
Focus on youth: Many players have been promoted from C to B or given new contracts. This focuses on nurturing young talent.
Financial incentives: Incentives in various categories motivate players. This really helps them perform well in international cricket.
Central contracts as career stability: With high monthly salaries and match fees, players can focus solely on cricket.
Strategic team planning: The PCB seems to be rewarding all-round players who can contribute across formats.

Impact of Contract Changes on Pakistani Cricket

The 2025-26 Central Contract Framework sends a clear message to all players. And that is, consistent performance is the key to achieving the highest position in every game. During high-pressure matches in Tests, ODIs and T20s, it is even more so in terms of players’ salaries and better positions in the team. By rewarding young players and demoting bad players, the PCB aligns financial incentives with the success of the team.

Conclusion

The PCB’s central contracts for 2025-26 reflect a balanced approach. By rewarding performance, it encourages the youth and all players to maintain high standards. While the lack of a Category A shows the board’s commitment to accountability and competence.

Central contracts are not just about money but a statement of trust, responsibility and opportunity. Because +they play a vital role in shaping the future of Pakistan cricket.

FAQs

Q1. What is the highest monthly salary of Pakistani cricketers in 2025-26?

The highest salary is Rs 4.5 million per month, which is reserved for Category A players. However, no player has been given a Category A contract this season.

Q2. Which players were promoted to Category B this season?

The players who were promoted from C to B include Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha and Shadab Khan. In addition, Fakhar Zaman and Hasan Ali are new entrants.

Q3. How has Shan Masood’s contract changed in 2025-26?

Shan Masood has been demoted from Category B to Category D. This shows how PCBon is focusing on current performance rather than past reputation.

Q4. What is the match fee for Pakistani players in T20Is?

For T20Is, players now earn PKR 418,584 (approximately $1,459) per match, a 12.5% increase from the previous season.

Q5. How does the PCB support young players through central contracts?

The PCB includes emerging talents in categories C and D, which provide monthly salaries and match fees.