LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has approved a revamped player payment structure, increased match fees for the national cricketers after endorsing a surplus budget for the 2026–27 financial year during the 84th Board of Governors (BoG) meeting.
The BoG meeting, which was chaired by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, saw its members unanimously approve the board’s financial plans for the upcoming year alongside the budget for the 12th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
One of the major outcomes of the meeting was the approval of a new central contract model for Pakistan’s men’s cricketers, replacing the long-standing category-based system with a five-track structure based on players’ format specialisation.
Under the new framework, players will be divided into Track AB for Test and ODI regulars, Track A for Test specialists, Track BC for ODI and T20I players, Track C for T20 specialists, and Track D for emerging cricketers in the development pathway.
The PCB also approved an increase in match fees for the Pakistan men’s team as part of the revised payment mechanism, although the exact figures were not disclosed, at the BoG meeting.
Domestic cricket also received a significant financial boost, with the PCB increasing its budget by PKR 1 billion. The allocation has risen from PKR 3 billion to PKR 4 billion in a move aimed at strengthening the country’s first-class and domestic structure.
Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel
Players participating in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy (QeAT) will also benefit from a substantial pay rise.
Match fees have been increased from PKR 30,000 to PKR 100,000 per match, while reserve players will now receive PKR 50,000 per game instead of the previous PKR 15,000.
The Board further approved funding for women’s One-Day and T20 tournaments, reaffirming its commitment to expanding the women’s domestic calendar.
Infrastructure development also featured prominently in the meeting, with PKR 6.7 billion allocated for the upgradation of the National Bank Cricket Stadium in Karachi and several other cricket facilities across Pakistan.
In addition, the PCB sanctioned funds to make 12 more cricket grounds operational, covering staffing and maintenance costs, while the minimum monthly salary of regional ground staff was increased to PKR 42,000.
The Board also approved the installation of a biomechanics machine at the High Performance Centre in Lahore to enhance player development and performance analysis.
READ: Aamir Jamal set for Test return as Pakistan finalise red-ball pacers: reports
