PCB introduces format-based central contract structure

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will now award central contracts based on formats rather than the traditional category structure. 

The board introduced five new ‘tracks’ as the PCB document calls them, with each track specified format-wise. Players who specialise in Test cricket will be placed in Track A, the most lucrative, as the board aims to make the longest format more financially sustainable for players.

"The contracts players used to get always resulted in debates about why players were placed in a particular category," Naqvi said at a press conference, joined by Pakistan coaches Aaqib Javed and Mike Hesson. "Even players were uncomfortable when they got a category they were not happy with. We've readied a document we're sharing with you, in which 85% of the contract decision has been taken away from humans and towards data."

Five-track system introduced

Players who will be part of both ODI and Test squads will be placed in Track AB, while Track BC has been introduced for white-ball players. The remaining two tracks, C and D, will be given to T20I specialists and emerging players, respectively. Players in Track C will also be given freedom to pursue franchise cricket opportunities besides their national commitments.

The contracts will be awarded based on three ‘gates’, including Medical & Fitness, Domestic Participation, and Performance Assessment. Players will be required to be fit, have ‘active participation’ in the domestic circuit and meet format-specific performance criteria to be considered for contracts.

Contracts to begin from 2026 cycle

The PCB, however, will not reveal the details of each player’s category to the public, and the contracts will take effect from the 2026 contracting cycle.

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