Significant news has emerged following reports that the Pakistan Cricket Board ( PCB) has drafted new remuneration and categories for the 2026-27 central contracts, proposing to divide players into four tracks based on different formats. According to media reports, under the new system, central contracts will be given under A, B, C and D tracks, while significant changes are in addition expected in the monthly salaries and match fees of the players.

Key Plays

What is happening now can be traced back to a series of decisions and events that preceded it.

According to the new proposed structure, Track A will include Red Ball or Test specialist cricketers, who are proposed to be paid up to Rs 40 lakh per month.

Track AB will include players who represent the national team in both Test and ODI formats.

Meanwhile, sources familiar with the matter indicate that sources say that these players can be paid Rs 48 to 50 lakh per month, while the annual income can exceed Rs 5 crore.

Track BC will include white-ball cricketers who are probable to get central contract remuneration of up to Rs 18 lakh per month.

Top Performers

Those following the situation closely say this marks a meaningful shift.

Similarly, it is proposed to include T20 specialist players in Track C who can be paid Rs 12 to 15 lakh per month.

In a detail that has not gone unnoticed, according to sources, Track D will include budding cricketers associated with the National Cricket Academy ( NCA) and Development Program for whom a monthly remuneration proposal of up to Rs 10 lakh is under consideration.

In a related development, under the proposed policy, the players will also be paid a separate match fee in addition to the central contract amount.

At the same time, according to sources, per Test match fee is likely to be fixed at Rs 15 lakh, ODI match fee Rs 7.5 lakh and T20 match fee up to Rs 5 lakh.

The Stats

The story's impact will be felt at multiple levels — local, national, and beyond.

PCB has also proposed a special bonus based on performance.

At the same time, according to sources, if Pakistan wins the title of an ICC event, the players will be given an further bonus of 500 percent of the match fee, while a bonus of 300 percent can be given if they win an ACC event.

Adding further dimension to the story, sources say that notwithstanding the central contracts, the players will be able to earn additional income by participating in different leagues, but the permission to play league cricket will be given according to the track and category of each player.

What has become increasingly clear is that the final announcement of the new central contracts by the PCB is expected soon, after which the new categories and privileges of the national cricketers will be formalized.

Next Up

This remains an active and fast-moving story. With significant stakes and wide-ranging implications, the next few days are expected to bring greater clarity on several outstanding questions.