Afghanistan Cricket Team Salaries & Central Contracts List
Afghanistan, a country that has risen to become one of the most exciting cricketing nations in the world by overcoming challenges. From producing world-class stars like Rashid Khan to becoming a great contender in the ICC, Afghanistan never ceases to amaze. In recent years, the ACB has worked tirelessly to improve the salary structure of its players. In this blog, we will find out everything you need to know about the salaries of Afghanistan cricket players. We will also talk about the central contract list for 2025 and how much the top Afghan cricketers earn per month and per year.
Overview: Afghanistan Cricket Salary Structure
Unlike some of the bigger cricket boards like the BCCI, ECB or Cricket Australia, the ACB operates with a smaller financial base. However, as the team continues to perform well in matches, the salaries of the players have increased.
The ACB divides its national players into two main contract categories:
- Grade A: Senior and star players with consistent international performances.
- Grade B: Emerging or rotational players who are still establishing themselves.
Players also earn match fees, performance bonuses and franchise league salaries from tournaments like the IPL, BBL, PSL and CPL.
Afghanistan Cricket Team Salaries (2025 Central Contract Overview)
The ACB has released the 2025 Central Contract List. And in it, they are rewarding the team’s top performers for their consistent contributions across formats.
Based on publicly available information, here is the official breakdown of Grade A and Grade B contracts for 2025:
| Grade | Players | Approx. Monthly Salary (USD) | Approx. Yearly Salary (USD) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade A | Rashid Khan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Nangeyalia Kharote, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Naveed, Naveen Zazai, Ishaq | $700 – $1,000 | $8,400 – $12,000 | Senior and marquee players |
| Grade B | Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Farid Ahmad, Nijat Masood, Zia, AMG, Zahir Khan, Kamal, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Riaz, Malik, Najibullah Zadran, Sediq, Bahir, Darwish | $400 – $600 | $4,800 – $7,200 | Promising and developing players |
Top Earning Afghanistan Cricketers (2025)
While central contracts form the basis of Afghan cricketers’ income, players like Rashid and Rahman earn much more through T20 leagues.
1. Rashid Khan
- Monthly Salary (ACB): $1,000 (Grade A)
- Franchise Earnings: Over $1.5 million (across IPL, BBL, PSL)
- Teams: Gujarat Titans (IPL), Adelaide Strikers (BBL)
- Overview: Rashid Khan is not just Afghanistan’s biggest cricket star as he is one of the most sought-after T20 bowlers globally. His sharp googly and leadership have made him a pillar of whichever franchise he has joined.
2. Mohammad Nabi
- Monthly Salary (ACB): $700
- League Income: $300,000 (across PSL, ILT20 and T10 leagues)
- Overview: As Afghanistan’s most experienced cricketer, Nabi continues to be an all-rounder.
- 3. Mujeeb Ur Rahman
- Monthly Salary (ACB): $500
- League Income: $400,000
- Overview: Known for his mysterious spin and control in the Powerplay overs, Mujeeb is a consistent performer.
4. Rahmanullah Gurbaz
- Monthly Salary (ACB): $800
- League Income: $200,000
- Overview: A young explosive wicketkeeper-batsman, Gurbaz’s aggressive style has earned him a place in leagues like the IPL and BPL.
5. Hashmatullah Shahidi
- Monthly Salary (ACB): $700
- Overview: Afghanistan’s current Test and ODI captain, Shahidi’s calm leadership has stabilized the national team.
Afghanistan Central Contract 2025: Official Players List
According to the ACB’s official release and updates from their verified channels, here is the complete list of contracted players for 2025:
Grade A: Senior Players
- Rashid Khan
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz
- Hashmatullah Shahidi
- Azamatullah Omarzai
- Nangeliya Kharote
- Mohammad Nabi
- Gulbuddin Naib
- Karim Janat
- Naved
- Naveen Zazai
- Ishaq
Grade B: Developing Players
- Ibrahim Zadran
- Rehmat Shah
- Fazlhaq Farooqui
- Mujeeb Ur Rehman
- Fareed Ahmed
- Nijat Masood
- Zia
- AMG
- Zahir Khan
- Kamal
- Sharafuddin Ashraf
- Riyaz
- Malik
- Najibullah Zadran
- Sediq
- Bahir
- Darwish
How does Afghanistan’s player payment system work?
The ACB follows a three-part salary structure for all centrally contracted cricketers:
1. Monthly retainer fee: Based on grade (A or B).
2.Match fee: Paid per game played:
- Test match: Around $2,000
- ODI: Around $1,000
- T20I: Around $500
3.Performance bonus: Additional incentives for “Player of the Match” or ranking achievements.
Additionally, players participating in the league must share a small portion of their earnings with the ACB.
Earnings from T20 leagues
Afghanistan’s biggest stars are in high demand in global leagues:
| Player | League(s) | Approx. Annual League Income (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Rashid Khan | IPL, BBL, PSL, ILT20 | $1.5 – $2 million |
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman | BBL, PSL, CPL | $300,000 – $400,000 |
| Mohammad Nabi | PSL, ILT20, T10 | $200,000 – $350,000 |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | IPL, BPL | $150,000 – $250,000 |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | PSL, LPL | $100,000 – $150,000 |
These figures show how Afghan players have gone from earning modest salaries to earning big in international cricket.
Future of Afghanistan Cricket Salary
As Afghanistan continues to perform well in ICC and bilateral series, the ACB is expected to increase the salaries of its players. The emergence of new leagues like the Shpagiza Cricket League has also created more financial opportunities for players. Both of these are domestic leagues, so players can also earn money in the country.
In addition, sponsorship, ICC profits and TV broadcast rights are expected to improve the financial stability of the ACB. And this will lead to the introduction of a Grade C category for young domestic cricketers in the coming years.
Afghanistan Cricket Players Salary Comparison (2025)
| Player | Contract Grade | Monthly Salary (USD) | Approx. Total Annual Earnings (Including Leagues) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rashid Khan | A | $1,000 | $2 million+ |
| Mohammad Nabi | A | $700 | $500,000+ |
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman | B | $500 | $400,000+ |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | A | $800 | $250,000+ |
| Hashmatullah Shahidi | A | $700 | $120,000+ |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | A | $800 | $150,000+ |
| Fazalhaq Farooqi | B | $500 | $100,000+ |
Conclusion
The journey of Afghanistan cricket is one of resilience, growth and pride. Despite financial constraints, Afghan players have been able to compete and win against the best teams in the world. The 2025 Afghanistan Cricket Team Central Contract reflects the board’s effort to properly identify and reward talent. As global leagues continue to improve, the future looks bright for upcoming cricketers.
Read More: South Africa Cricket Team Salaries & Central Contracts List
FAQs
Q1. Who are the highest-paid cricketers in Afghanistan in 2025?
The highest-paid Afghan cricketer is Rashid Khan, followed by Mohammad Nabi and Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Rashid earns over $2 million annually, mainly due to his international franchise deals.
Q2. How much do Afghanistan cricketers earn from ACB contracts?
Players in Grade A earn between $700 and $1,000 per month, while players in Grade B earn between $400 and $600 per month. Additionally, match fees and bonuses add to their total earnings.
Q3. Are Afghanistan players paid for the IPL or other T20 leagues?
Yes. Afghanistan players are paid separately by T20 franchises like IPL (India), PSL (Pakistan), BBL (Australia) and ILT20 (UAE). These league contracts are much more lucrative than national retainers.
Q4. Who decides Afghanistan’s central contracts?
The ACB decides the central contract list every year based on performance, fitness and availability of players. The final list is approved by the ACB selection committee.
Q5. What is the future of players’ salaries in Afghan cricket?
With Afghanistan’s continued success in the ICC and growing fan support, the ACB is expected to increase salaries in the coming years. The board is also looking at sponsorships and partnerships to enhance the benefits of players.
