PCB Announces Three-Year Central Contracts For Pakistan Players Ahead Of The ICC World Cup 2023

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has revealed the three-year annual contract list for the players ahead of the ICC World Cup 2023. The new contracts will be effective from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2026.

A total of 25 players have been awarded the central contracts for the next three years. It’ll have a financial model locked up for a time period and the performances of the players will be monitored after every year. Apart from the contracts, PCB also added a major hike in players’ match fees: a 50% increment in Test, 25% in ODI, and 12.5% in T20I.

The contracts of the players are divided into four categories and this time around red-ball and white-ball national contracts are being merged. Skipper Babar Azam along with Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Rizwan have been added to category A, which is highest among the all.

PCB Chairperson Zaka Ashraf talked about the new contract system, saying that it’s their utmost priority to ensure well well-being of the players and added that this will give motivation to players to excel in the field. He added:

“We believe that our players are the true assets of Pakistan cricket, and it is our utmost priority to ensure their well-being and provide them with the best possible services. This deal signifies our commitment to improving the financial health of our players, acknowledging their hard work and dedication to the game. We firmly believe that a financially secure and motivated team is more likely to excel on the field.”

Skipper Babar Azam also expressed his delight about the new contracts by PCB. He said: “It is by far a historic deal.I am extremely happy and satisfied that we have reached an agreement with the PCB. This agreement signifies a new chapter in players’ career and in Pakistan cricket. It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of all players towards the game and now we are all geared up ahead of the ICC Men’s World Cup.”

PCB Central Contract list for the three years

Here’s the PCB Central Contract list for the three years

Category A: Babar Azam, Mohammed Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi
Category B: Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammed Nawaz, Naseem Shah and Shadab Khan
Category C: Imad Wasim and Abdullah Shafique
Category D: Fahim Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Ihsanullah, Mohammed Haris, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmad, Saud Shakeel, Shahnawaz Dahani, Shan Masood, Usama Mir and Zaman Khan

Pakistan Team recently arrived in India for the ICC World Cup 2023. They will open their campaign against the Netherlands on 6th October. But before that, they will feature in two warm-up fixtures, against Australia and New Zealand respectively.