Changes expected in PCB's Central Contracts for 2023-24

[MenInG]

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is currently in the process of finalizing the central contracts for players for the upcoming 2023-24 season. The current contracts are set to expire on June 30, prompting the PCB to begin working on new deals.

According to sources, there is a possibility of a 20% increase in players' salaries under the new contracts. After discussions with skipper Babar, a list of contracted players will be prepared and presented to the PCB management committee, headed by Najam Sethi. It is important to note that the tenure of the PCB management committee ends on June 21, before which the announcement of the contracted players is expected to be made.

Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, and Fakhar Zaman are likely to retain their positions in Category A. Furthermore, fast bowlers Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah are expected to receive promotions in their contracts. Notably, Naseem Shah will be included in both the red and white ball categories.

Several other players, including Iftikhar Ahmed, Saim Ayub, Ihsanullah, Usama Mir, Mohammad Haris, and Zaman Khan, are said to have secured a place in the contract list. Former captain, Sarfaraz Ahmed, is also expected to retain his red-ball contract.

Chief Selector, Haroon Rashid, who is currently working on the new central contract, will discuss the player names with Pakistan team’s director, Mickey Arthur, head coach Grant Bradburn, and director of international cricket operations, Usman Wahla, before finalizing the list. Captain Babar’s input will also be taken into consideration during this process.

The PCB will continue its practice of awarding separate contracts for white-ball and red-ball cricket. The contracts will be categorized as A, B, and C, with separate emerging contracts being given to promising young players.

As part of the contract changes, veteran batsman Azhar Ali will be excluded from the centrally-contracted players list due to his retirement. Furthermore, players such as Fawad Alam, Haider Ali, Abid Ali, Yasir Shah, Nauman Ali, Khushdil Shah, Usman Qadir, and Zahid Mehmood are also likely to lose their central contracts.

The PCB is actively working to finalize the new central contracts before the end of June, aiming to secure the players' signatures on the updated deals.

 

[MenInG]

For reference

PCB men's central contracts list for 2022-23

RED AND WHITE-BALL CONTRACTS:

Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi (all Category A), Hasan Ali (red-ball Category B, white-ball Category C) and Imam-ul-Haq (red-ball Category C, white-ball Category B)

RED BALL CONTRACTS:

Category A – Azhar Ali

Category B – Fawad Alam

Category C – Abdullah Shafique, Naseem Shah and Nauman Ali

Category D – Abid Ali, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, Shan Masood and Yasir Shah

WHITE-BALL CONTRACTS:

Category A – Fakhar Zaman and Shadab Khan

Category B – Haris Rauf

Category C – Mohammad Nawaz

Category D - Asif Ali, Haider Ali, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Shahnawaz Dahani, Usman Qadir and Zahid Mehmood

EMERGING CONTRACTS:

Ali Usman (Southern Punjab), Haseebullah (Balochistan), Kamran Ghulam (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Haris (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Huraira (Northern), Qasim Akram (Central Punjab) and Salman Ali Agha (Southern Punjab)

 

[gazza619]

Are the salaries paid in Pak rupees? If yes then 20% rise is still a pay cut

 

[U$ofA]

Are the salaries paid in Pak rupees? If yes then 20% rise is still a pay cut

With the rate of inflation, it already is. By the time it is implemented, even more.

 

[msb314]

Quick question - did Naseem Shah not have a white ball contract last year?

 

[SportsWarrior]

A lot of the Pakistani players with central contract also play oversees in leagues and counties. Considering the fact, the official inflation is around 30% and currency depreciation is more than 50%, a 20% increase in contract is a huge pay cut. PCB should increase the pay by at least 50% as most of these players will compare their contract with what they get overseas.

 

[MenInG]

Introduction: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has postponed the issuance of central contracts to its cricketers due to ongoing changes in the organization’s hierarchy. With the appointment of a new chairman imminent, alterations are expected in personnel and policies, potentially leading to revisions in the structure of central contracts.

Delay Due to Upcoming Elections: Discussions regarding central contracts took place earlier this month between the team management and selection committee. However, the process was put on hold in light of the upcoming PCB Chairman election scheduled for June 27. The election is likely to result in changes within the PCB, prompting the need to reassess personnel and policies.

Potential Changes and Increments: Following the appointment of the new chairman, the PCB may introduce various changes to the central contracts. A possible 25% increase in retainers is being considered. Additionally, the contracts could undergo modifications such as player promotions and demotions based on performance.

Reviewing Contract Structure: The PCB is also contemplating whether to continue awarding separate contracts based on white-ball and red-ball cricket. This evaluation reflects the board’s commitment to optimizing the contract system and aligning it with the evolving dynamics of the sport.

Potential Exclusions and Inclusions: As a result of retirement, experienced batsman Azhar Ali will be excluded from the list of centrally-contracted players. Similarly, Fawad Alam, Yasir Shah, Nauman Ali, Khushdil Shah, Usman Qadir, and Zahid Mehmood are likely to lose their central contracts. On the other hand, Iftikhar Ahmed, Saim Ayub, Ihsanullah, Usama Mir, and Zaman Khan could be included in the new list.

Possible Promotions: Sources suggest that fast bowlers Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah may receive promotions when the revised centrally-contracted players’ list is announced. This recognition reflects their impressive performances and potential contributions to the team.

Contract Expiry and Existing Categories: The current central contracts for cricketers are set to expire on June 30. The list of central contracts for 2022-23 includes separate categories for red-ball and white-ball cricket, with players assigned to respective tiers based on their performance and contributions.

Conclusion: The delay in issuing central contracts by the PCB indicates the organization’s intent to adapt to the changes within its leadership and structure. The forthcoming revisions and potential promotions emphasize the board’s commitment to recognizing talent, fostering healthy competition, and providing financial stability to the country’s cricketers.

BNN

 

[MenInG]

As per a media report, PCB has now moved back to the categorization of players in contracts, a change from the previous year where Test and white-ball players split. Pakistan captain Babar Azam and all-format stars Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi are in Category A and could earn PKR 4.5 million ($15,900 or ₹13.14 lakh approximately) every month.

Category B players could receive PKR 3 million ($10,600 or ₹8.76 lakh approximately), while those in Category C and D will get between PKR 0.75-1.5 million ($2650-5300 or ₹2.19-4.38 lakh approximately) per month.

Although the sharp depreciation of the Pakistan rupee and the rising inflation in the country offset some value of the hike, it's still a big increase.

Discussions are ongoing over new domestic contracts as well, which are also likely to see a hike in payments. But although the new terms would come as a relief, there are still issues to solve between the board and the players.

The Pakistani cricketers are among the most underpaid in the world because they don't play in IPL and are restricted to participate in other private leagues globally. The latter issue had led to a stand-off last year with the men's team refusing to sign the contracts offered by the Ramiz Raja-led administration.

According to the report, in the new contract, the players in the top two categories will likely be allowed to play in one league other than the Pakistan Super League. Those in the lower categories will be allowed to play in more than one.

 

[Firebat]

Pakistan doubles remuneration for cricketers under Central Contract​

Zaka Ashraf, chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee, has announced that the central contract remuneration for key cricketers is being doubled.

Ashraf made this announcement at the orientation of the first class of the Lahore Qalandars Women Players Development Programme.

After this increase, the players of A category will receive Rs9 million per month, B category will get Rs6 million per month and players falling in C and D categories will get between Rs1.5 to Rs3 million per month.

Now players of A category like Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi and Rizwan will get Rs9 million per month. Babar, Rizwan and Shaheen, due to their roles as an all-format players, are slated to fall in A Category.

Ashraf said the PCB wants the players to earn money from cricket and take the team to the top. He said that women cricketers will also get a handsome amount like never before. He appreciated the services of Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistani cricket.

He said there is a lot of talent in Pakistan and there is a need to encourage this talent. “Women cricketers will be given such amount of money in the national central contract which has not been received before,” he added.

Pakistan doubles remuneration for cricketers under Central Contract

Zaka Ashraf, chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee, has announced that the central contract remuneration for key cricketers is

en.dailypakistan.com.pk

 

[MenInG]

Pakistani players are reluctant to sign a long-term central contract with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) after differences over sale of licensed digital rights of players between the two parties.

Though the last set of central contracts of the players expired on June 30, the PCB has so far not been able to convince them to sign the new contracts.

The Pakistan squad has already reached Sri Lanka for its One-Day series against Afghanistan and for the subsequent Asia Cup.

A reliable source close to the players said the dispute centered around the demand of the players for a bigger share and say in the sale of their digital rights, handled by the board.

“The players’ point of view is that other cricket boards either are not involved in the sale of players digital rights/NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) or have a proper agreement with them on the sharing of revenues from this avenue,” the source said.

He said with companies like Rario headed by two Singapore-based Indians or Dream Sports paying good money for the sale of sports NFTs of players, including image, clips and sound bites, the players wanted the board to give them either independent rights to negotiate or a bigger share from the earnings.

The PCB apparently gets revenues from the ICC and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) for giving the digital/online rights of players images, clips and sound bites for the events held under the aegis of these bodies.

The PCB is said to be also earning from the sale of digital rights of the players from the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

“The PCB does give the players a share from their digital rights sales but the players feel it is not enough,” the source said.

The sale of sports NFTs have become a major earning source in the cryptocurrency market with Rario recently investing nearly $120 million.

NFTs are known as digital collectables and a global base of 250 crore cricket fans with a desire to own digital artifacts, the mementoes of their favourite players have become a big market to earn revenues.

The sale of NFTs is authenticated through blockchain technology.

The source said the PCB had proposed a three-year central contract for the players who were reluctant to accept this term.

“Though the board had nearly doubled the monthly central contract retainers and increased the match fees, the players want a bigger share from the sale of their digital rights and even increased share from what the board earns from selling broadcasting rights,” he said.

At present, a senior PCB official is in Sri Lanka holding negotiations with senior players and trying to convince them to sign their contracts which the board has designed.

Pakistan players reluctant to sign central contracts, ask PCB for bigger share in their digital rights

Though the last set of central contracts of the players expired on June 30, the PCB has so far not been able to convince them to sign the new contracts.

sportstar.thehindu.com

 

[daytrader]

As per a media report:

Good news for Pakistan cricket. The players vs PCB logjam is almost over and it’s a victory for Babar Azam & Co. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Zaka Ashraf will be visiting Sri Lanka to talk to the senior players on the Pakistan Cricket Central contract ahead of Asia Cup 2023. As things stand, PCB has conceded to players’ demand on allowing players in more than one overseas T20 league.

To note, Babar Azam & Co have been playing without any central contract for the last two months. While PCB tried to steamroll the process, announcing a mega hike in players’ salaries, it did not work out. Players were not happy with the restrictions put on playing overseas T20 leagues which offer mega-money contracts. However, with salary hike and flexibility in different clauses, a deal is expected to be completed before Asia Cup 2023.

But now, players and the PCB have found common ground on the NOCs (No-objection certificates). Instead of just one overseas T20 league, Grade A players can opt for two. For non-contracted players, they can play as many as they want provided it does not clash with national team matches if they are called upon.

As per media sources, players and the PCB wanted to follow a “common sense approach with a view not to prevent players from earning”.

 

[RidiculousMan]

Good news for Pakistan cricket. The players vs PCB logjam is almost over and it’s a victory for Babar Azam & Co. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Zaka Ashraf will be visiting Sri Lanka to talk to the senior players on the Pakistan Cricket Central contract ahead of Asia Cup 2023. As things stand, PCB has conceded to players’ demand on allowing players in more than one overseas T20 league.

To note, Babar Azam & Co have been playing without any central contract for the last two months. While PCB tried to steamroll the process, announcing a mega hike in players’ salaries, it did not work out. Players were not happy with the restrictions put on playing overseas T20 leagues which offer mega-money contracts. However, with salary hike and flexibility in different clauses, a deal is expected to be completed before Asia Cup 2023.

But now, players and the PCB have found common ground on the NOCs (No-objection certificates). Instead of just one overseas T20 league, Grade A players can opt for two. For non-contracted players, they can play as many as they want provided it does not clash with national team matches if they are called upon.

As per media sources, players and the PCB wanted to follow a “common sense approach with a view not to prevent players from earning”.

Good to hear.

Cricket now has massive commercial value than it had lets say decades ago. Thanks to IPL and T20s mostly.


If PCB can't compensate their big guns properly, than they should not stop them from playing in other leagues to earn good money for themselves.

 

[Titan24]

Good for the players, their salary has been hiked big time by PCB alongside bigger chunk in digital rights. Further Grade A players can opt for 2 overseas leagues which seems reasonable I believe as other than PSL that would mean players like Babar, Shaheen, Rizwan and in possibly Naseem (He will be getting an A grade contract I believe) can play 2 more T20 leagues.

Just hope that the workload of Shaheen and Naseem is managed and they are sensible enough to manage themselves as well rather than playing too much alongside traveling which is the demand of leagues.

 

[WicketLord]

360 cricketers set to benefit from PCB’s enhanced domestic contracts in upcoming season

• 360 cricketers representing 18 regional teams to be offered domestic contracts in new season

• Players have been divided into seven categories

Lahore, 25 August 2023:

As many as 360 cricketers representing 18 regional teams will be offered domestic cricket contracts 2023-24. The structure is divided into seven categories; 20 players will be in category A+, 30 in category A, 30 in category B, 30 in category C and 30 in category D, 50 in category E and 170 slotted in F.

The PCB will release the names of the contracted players in due course.

Earlier on 11 August, the PCB had announced the renewed domestic season that brings more competition and quality cricket with enhanced earning opportunities as eight regional sides and eight department teams will compete in separate first-class tournaments. This step will make sure that the regions and departments compete on a level playing field by utilising the best available talent.

The domestic structure is framed by the PCB Cricket Technical Committee headed by former captains Misbah ul Haq and Mohammad Hafeez. The committee had several meetings with all stakeholders to bring them on board, including regional presidents and representatives of departments.

The upcoming men’s season will commence on 10 September with the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy pitting top regional teams against each other, following which, top eight departments will feature in the President’s Trophy, starting December 15. Eighteen regional sides have been slotted with eight teams playing the premier first-class tournament Quaid-e-Azam Trophy while 10 regions will be playing Hanif Mohammad Trophy, a non first-class four-day tournament.

Twenty players, selected by the regions according to the predefined criteria, will be assigned categories as outlined below. Each category carries a hefty amount; A+ will get PKR 300,000, A PKR 200,000, B PKR 185,000, C PKR 170,000, D PKR 150,000, E PKR 100,000, F will pocket PKR 50,000

As per the new financial model, a player featuring in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy will now get a match fee of PKR 80,000, players participating in the Hanif Mohammad Trophy will get PKR 40,000 per game. Those playing the white-ball tournaments - the Pakistan Cup and the National T20 - will now earn PKR 40,000 per game. The non-playing members of a first-class team will get PKR 40,000 and earn PKR 20,000 per match in white-ball cricket respectively.

Director Domestic Cricket Operations (A) Junaid Zia: “The Pakistan Cricket Board's responsibility extends beyond the field, and this step to provide substantial contracts reflects our dedication to the well-being of our cricketers.

“Through this initiative, the PCB is cultivating a brighter future for domestic cricketers, enabling them to focus wholeheartedly on their game and raising the overall standard of our cricket.”

Criteria for “A+” Category:

• A total of 11 players as recommended by the central contract committee.

• Top four batters and top five bowlers (three fast bowlers and two spinners) of QeAT for the last three seasons (2022-23, 2021-22 and 2020-21)

Criteria for “A” Category:

• Top four batters and four bowlers (two fast bowlers and two spinners) of Pakistan Cup for the last three seasons (2022-23, 2021-22 and 2020-21)

• Top two batters and two bowlers (two fast bowlers and two spinners) of National T20 for the last three seasons (2022-23, 2021-22 and 2020-21)
• Next, top two batters, top two bowlers (two fast bowlers and two spinners) and top all-rounder of QeAT for the last three seasons (2022-23, 2021-22 and 2020-21).

• Test players who are part of current regional squads.

Criteria of "B" Category:

• International players who are part of the current regional squads.

• Next, top three batters in terms of runs, top two fast bowlers in terms of wickets, top two spinners in terms of wickets and top two all-rounders of QeAT Season 2022-23.

• Next, top five batters in terms of runs, top three fast bowlers in terms of wickets, top two spinners in terms of wickets and top two all-rounders of Pakistan Cup Season 2022-23.

• Next, top five batters in terms of runs, top three fast bowlers in terms of wickets, top two spinners in terms of wickets and top two all-rounders of National T2o Season 2022-23.

Criteria of "C" Category:

• Players who have played 5o or more first-class matches.

• Players who have represented Pakistan Shaheens/Emerging since 2022 (in international events).

• Players who have been a part of Pakistan squad within last one year.

• Next, top two wicket-keepers of each QeAT, Pakistan Cup and National T20 for the season 2022-23.

• Next, top three batters in terms of runs, top two fast bowlers in terms of wickets, top two spinners in terms of wickets and top two all-rounders of QeAT Season 2022-23.

• Next, top three batters in terms of runs, top two fast bowlers in terms of wickets, top two spinners in terms of wickets and top two all-rounders of Pakistan Cup Season 2022-23.

Criteria of "D" Category

• Next, top three batters in terms of runs, top two fast bowlers in terms of wickets, top two spinners in terms of wickets and top two all-rounders of National T20 Season 2022-23.

• Top five batters in terms of runs, top two fast bowlers in terms of wickets, top two spinners in terms of wickets, top two all-rounders and top two wicket-keepers, each, (in terms of wickets and runs) of Second XI Championship, Challenge and T20 for the Season 2022-23.

• Players who have represented Pakistan U-19 in the last 2 years.

Criteria of "E" Category

• Players who have represented Pakistan Shaheens in the past.

• Players who have represented Pakistan emerging team in the last 2 years.

• Players who have represented Pakistan U19 in the past.

• Has played 20 or more first-class matches.

Criteria of "F" Category

• Remaining players.

Note:

• If a player who falls in more than one criterion or already has a PCB contract then the same contract will be trickled down to the next player.

• The above contracts are in descending order, if there are more players in one category then the remaining players will be trickled down to the next category, similarly, if there are fewer players in a certain category then the players in the next immediate category will be upgraded.

• Contracts will be given after clearance of fitness test.


Coaches of each region and fixtures of the domestic circuit will be announced in due course.

 

[WicketLord]