In a move that has sparked heated debate, Pakistan’s women cricketers have received domestic contracts that fall short of the country’s minimum wage for unskilled labor, according to Dawn News. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has already announced agreements for 90 players across three tiers—18 in the U-19 bracket, 62 emerging talents, and 10 seasoned campaigners—for the upcoming season, though the wages for each tier have not been publicly disclosed.
Despite promises of better support and recognition for Pakistan’s women cricketers, insiders claim that the base monthly payment in these agreements is reportedly less than Rs37,000—the minimum wage for unskilled workers this fiscal year. This comes on the heels of the PCB’s assertion that the contracts were awarded based on potential and domestic performances, with added perks like match fees, daily allowances, and a share of prize money. Yet, there has been no adjustment for inflation, leaving many to wonder if the promises of improvement are more lip service than reality.
The contrast with the men’s side is hard to miss, where top players reportedly earn a salary of 4.5 million PKR a month after taxes. Recently, when match fees for male players in the National T20 Cup were slashed, a swift reversal by PCB leadership brought them back to Rs30,000 per match—even though this still marks a reduction from last year’s figure. This quick action underscores how the board is prompt in addressing concerns in the men’s game, while the situation for their female counterparts remains largely unresolved.
All of this unfolds against a backdrop of strong financial performance by the PCB. With claims of a record profit following the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and a strong performance in the last fiscal year, many are questioning why such success isn’t translating into better wages for women players. The minimal contracts for Pakistan’s women cricketers remain a contentious issue. While the principles of shared revenue based on team performance and commercial suitability still apply, the PCB should have ample resources to offer better packages to players who represent the country at the highest level.
As the cricket season continues, the stark disparity between the men’s and women’s paychecks continues to raise eyebrows, putting the PCB on notice to truly back up its commitments to advancing women’s cricket.