“Shaheen Afridi to Earn Less Than Babar Azam?” PCB’s New Central Contract System Sparks Big Salary Debate in Pakistan Cricket

A major shake-up is underway in Pakistan cricket as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) rolls out a completely redesigned central contract system — one that could significantly change how much top stars like Shaheen Shah Afridi and Babar Azam earn in the coming season.

The move comes at a time when Pakistan cricket is under intense scrutiny following disappointing performances in major ICC tournaments, including an early exit from the 2023 ODI World Cup and underwhelming runs in the 2024 T20 World Cup and 2025 Champions Trophy. The team’s struggles continued with a Test series defeat against Bangladesh, prompting PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi to push for structural reforms.

A five-track system to redefine careers

At the heart of the new policy is a five-category pathway system that divides players based on formats and roles.

Under the revised structure, players will be placed into:

• Track A: Test specialists
• Track AB: Test + ODI players
• Track BC: ODI + T20 players
• Track C: T20 specialists and franchise-focused players
• Track D: Development players

The PCB believes this segmentation will bring clarity, performance accountability, and long-term planning across all formats — especially at a time when franchise cricket is increasingly influencing international careers.

“Structure over words”: PCB defends overhaul

Explaining the rationale behind the change, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said:

“Every cricket board in the world is grappling with the same question: how do you keep Test cricket strong in the age of the franchise game? At Pakistan, we have chosen to answer it with structure rather than words.”

He further added that the framework is designed to ensure Pakistan remains competitive across formats while adapting to modern cricket realities.

Salary brackets raise eyebrows

While the structure aims for transparency, it is the revised pay scale that has sparked widespread debate among fans.

According to the new model:

• Track AB (Test + ODI players): around PKR 6 crore annually
• Track A (Test-only players): around PKR 4.8 crore
• Track BC (ODI + T20 players): around PKR 2.16 crore
• Track C (T20/franchise-focused players): approximately PKR 5 lakh annually

The sharp difference between categories has led to intense discussion, especially around how star players may be positioned in the system.

Where top Pakistani stars may land

Under the proposed classification, some big names are expected to fall into distinct brackets based on their current format focus.

Shaheen Shah Afridi, one of Pakistan’s premier fast bowlers, is likely to be placed in the white-ball focused Track BC, reflecting his increasing importance in limited-overs cricket.

Meanwhile, Babar Azam, one of the most consistent modern batters in world cricket, is expected to feature in Track AB due to his crucial role across both Test and ODI formats.

Young talents like Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan could find themselves in Track C, depending on their T20 and franchise commitments.

A system that could reshape careers

The PCB insists that the goal is not to reduce players’ value but to align compensation with format responsibilities and workload. However, critics argue that such a steep pay gradient could influence players’ priorities, potentially pushing them further toward shorter formats and franchise leagues.

At a time when global cricket boards are struggling to balance Test cricket’s relevance with the financial pull of T20 leagues, Pakistan’s experiment is being closely watched.

Whether this system strengthens the team or deepens internal divides will only become clear once the new contracts are officially implemented and players begin operating under the revised structure.

For now, one thing is certain — Pakistan cricket has entered a new and highly debated financial era.

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