The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will announce new central contracts for national cricketers in the next few days. This time, the PCB has made a significant change in the policy under which only those players who are representing Pakistan in all three formats (Test, ODI, T20) will be eligible for contracts.

According to sources, consultations with coaches, high performance director, finance and international cricket department have been completed and final approval has to be taken from PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

Important changes in contract policy:
Only players who play regularly in all three formats will be given contracts.

The number of central contracts will be increased from 25 to 30.

The retainer budget has been increased by 37%, which has now reached Rs 1173.49 million.

Potential beneficiaries:
Hassan Nawaz, Mohammad Haris, Sufyan Muqim, Hassan Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan (under consideration)

Possibly out of contract:
Aamir Jamal, Mohammad Huraira, Haseebullah, Usman Khan, Mohammad Ali

Last year in review:
Last year, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan were in Category A while Shaheen Shah Afridi was moved to Category B. Fakhar Zaman and Sarfaraz Ahmed were dropped from the contract, while Imam-ul-Haq, Iftikhar Ahmed and Faheem Ashraf were also left out of the contract.

Salary breakdown:
A Category: Rs 65,70,000 per month

B Category: Rs 45,52,500

C Category: Rs 20,35,000

D Category: Rs 12,67,500

Players’ share of ICC revenue:
According to sources, this year is likely to be the last time that players will be given a 3% share of ICC revenue, as the contract is set to expire next year.

Analysis:
The PCB’s new policy aims to promote performance-based merit and maintain balance across all three formats. This will give young players a chance to make it to the national team, while players who have not performed consistently will have to work hard to improve their skills.