PCB Approves New Central Contract Framework, Rs4bn Boost for Domestic Cricket

LAHORE: (Web Desk) – The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has approved a new central contract framework for national cricketers, significantly increased funding for domestic cricket, and allocated billions of rupees for infrastructure development during the 84th meeting of its Board of Governors (BoG), chaired by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

The Board unanimously approved a surplus budget for the 2026–27 financial year along with the budget for Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 12. It also endorsed a proposal to make the PSL administratively and financially autonomous.

In a major boost for domestic cricket, the Board increased the domestic cricket budget from Rs3 billion to Rs4 billion. It also approved a revised central contracts framework and a new payment system for national players, along with enhanced match fees.

Match fees for players participating in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy have been raised from Rs30,000 to Rs100,000, while reserve players will now receive Rs50,000, up from Rs15,000.

The BoG also approved funding for women’s One-Day and T20 tournaments, increased the minimum monthly salary of regional ground staff to Rs42,000, and allocated resources to operationalize 12 additional cricket grounds across the country.

To improve cricket infrastructure, the Board earmarked Rs6.7 billion for stadium upgrades, including renovation work at the National Bank Cricket Stadium in Karachi. Funding was also approved for the installation of a biomechanics machine at the High Performance Centre in Lahore.

PCB Chief Financial Officer Javed Murtaza briefed the Board on the key features of the 2026–27 budget.

The meeting was attended by BoG members Anwaar Ghani, Punjab Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Awan, Ismael Qureshi, Sajjad Khokhar, Tanvir Ahmad, and Adnan Malik. Former captain Zaheer Abbas, Additional Secretary Cabinet Division Mir Hassan Naqvi, PCB Chief Operating Officer Sameer Ahmad, PSL Chief Executive Officer Salman Naseer, and other senior officials were also present.

PCB Announces Major Reforms to Strengthen Pakistan Cricket

The decisions reflect the PCB’s commitment to strengthening domestic cricket, improving player welfare, enhancing women’s cricket, and modernizing the country’s cricket infrastructure.