The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced its updated list of central contracts for 16 women cricketers for the 2024-25 season, effective from July 1, 2024.
The contracts were awarded following an annual review after the conclusion of the 2023-24 season, with a sharper focus on rewarding performance and paving the way for emerging talent.
While last year’s contracts spanned a two-year period for 20 players, the new list signals a recalibration, reducing the pool of contracted players but introducing fresh faces and reshuffling categories to reflect recent achievements on the field.
Captain Fatima Sana and wicketkeeper-batter Muneeba Ali have been elevated to Category A with PCB acknowledging their consistency and growing influence in the team. Left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal’s ascent to Category B also reflects her steady performances and rising stature in Pakistan’s bowling ranks.
Three players have been added to the central contracts list:
– Tasmia Rubab: A first-time entrant, marking a major milestone in her career.
– Rameen Shamim: Rejoining the central contract roster for the first time since 2018.
– Gull Feroza: Making a return after last featuring in 2022-23.
These inclusions underline the PCB’s emphasis on identifying and rewarding promising talent as the team gears up for a packed international calendar.
Six players, including senior pros like Nida Dar, Aliya Riaz, and Sidra Nawaz, have not been offered contracts for the upcoming season. Despite this, the PCB emphasized that these players remain available for selection, signaling a strategic shift towards nurturing the next generation of talent in line with the ICC Women’s Future Tours Programme 2025-29.
| Category | Players |
| A | Fatima Sana Muneeba Ali Sidra Amin |
| B | Nashra Sundhu Sadia Iqbal |
| C | Diana Baig Omaima Sohail |
| D | Ghulam Fatima Gull Feroza Najiha Alvi Rameen Shamim Sadaf Shamas Syeda Aroob Shah Tasmia Rubab Tuba Hassan Umm-e-Hani |
With the ICC Women’s Future Tours Programme on the horizon, Pakistan’s revamped central contract system is designed to strike a balance between nurturing emerging stars and sustaining high performance.
As the national side prepares for a demanding international calendar, the PCB’s renewed focus on women’s cricket signals a promising future for the sport in Pakistan.