Here’s Why Many Pakistani Cricketers Want Category C Central Contracts

As the category comes with no restrictions on playing in overseas leagues, a number of Pakistan cricketers want to be placed in Category C of the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) new central contracts.

Key points

• The new central contracts will cover the period from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, but they have yet to be confirmed.
• While players taking part in overseas leagues could earn more than Rs, 126 million in a single Pakistan Super League (PSL) season.
• Changes to the preliminary list of 30 players are probable, with Mohammad Rizwan and Shan Masood reportedly at greater risk of being dropped.
• Players in the senior categories A, AB, BC, and C must play at least four Tests, six ODIs, or six T20 Internationals in a year.
• While Category C players will face no such restrictions, players in other categories will be allowed to play only a limited number of overseas leagues.

According to a report by Saleem Khaliq, citing sources, these players have assured the authorities that they will remain available to represent Pakistan in any format whenever required, even as they seek greater freedom to play abroad. What Category C Offers.

Although they will be allowed to play red-ball county cricket and other forms of the game, under the proposed system, Test players will not be granted no-objection certificates (NOCs) for overseas leagues. While Category C players will face no such restrictions, players in other categories will be allowed to play only a limited number of overseas leagues.

Notably, the PCB's new framework describes Track C as a category for dedicated short-format players, with the greatest freedom to pursue franchise cricket around their national commitments.

T20 specialists will receive a monthly retainer of Rs. 2.6 million or Rs. 2 million, depending on their tier. Category C players will earn Rs. 500, 000 per ODI or T20 International, and Rs. 700, 000 per Test if selected. Here is how much players in each category could earn under the proposed contracts. Leagues Offer Far Bigger Paydays.

Notably, the highest monthly retainer under the proposed contracts is Rs. 4.8 million, or Rs. 57.6 million a year. Including match fees and other payments, a leading player could earn Rs. 80 million to Rs. 90 million annually.

Franchise cricket can pay much more. Saim Ayub reportedly earned Rs. While players taking part in overseas leagues could earn more than Rs, 126 million in a single Pakistan Super League (PSL) season. 200 million to Rs. 220 million a year.

This means limits on foreign leagues could cost players heavily. It is one reason a number of cricketers want to move into Category C. Nevertheless, the final decision rests with the PCB. Contracts Still Not Confirmed.

Meanwhile, the new central contracts will cover the period from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, but they have yet to be confirmed. The process stalled after Pakistan's poor showing on the tour of England. It concluded in a whitewash.

Players in the senior categories A, AB, BC, and C must play at least four Tests, six ODIs, or six T20 Internationals in a year. Category D, reserved for emerging cricketers, is exempt from this requirement. All players must additionally take part in domestic cricket in their respective formats. Stay Connected with ProPakistani.

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Taken together, the developments around here's Why Many Pakistani Cricketers Want Category C Central Contracts point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.