PCB Expands Central Contracts Pool Amid Busy International Calendar

In a significant move that reflects Pakistan cricket’s expanding calendar and the board’s intent to invest in a broader pool of talent, the PCB has reportedly increased the number of centrally contracted players for both men’s and women’s national teams as part of its 2025–26 financial plan.

According to the official budget documents acquired by Dawn News, which are yet to be published on the PCB website, the number of centrally contracted male cricketers has been raised from 25 to 30, while the women’s list has seen an even sharper rise from 16 to 24. The increased allocations will result in a 37% jump in the men’s contract budget, now set at Rs319 million, and a staggering 121% hike for the women’s team, pushing their contract budget to Rs37.8 million.

The PCB’s move to offer more central contracts comes at a time when Pakistan’s international commitments have grown across all levels. The number of international assignments for the senior men’s and women’s sides, along with the Shaheens and the U-19s, has gone up to 26 — three more than the previous year.

However, the expansion on the international front comes at the cost of the domestic calendar. Budget documents confirm a noticeable reduction in the number of domestic events — down from 25 to 19 — across both men’s and women’s competitions. For the men’s circuit, the cutback has led to a 34% drop in financial allocation, from Rs684 million last year to Rs450 million this year.

While men’s domestic cricket has seen cost-cutting, women’s domestic competitions have received a marginal boost — up 4% to Rs37.2 million — signaling a continued push towards equity in funding.

The 2025–26 budget however, estimated at Rs18 billion, raises fresh concerns over declining revenue. The PCB forecasts income of Rs16.88 billion, significantly down from Rs21.81 billion in the previous year, bringing it almost level with expected expenditures of Rs16.85 billion. The board’s heaviest expenditure -Rs6 billion- will go toward the ongoing renovation of stadiums in Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi, a project that has already overshot its original Rs12 billion estimate and is now expected to cost Rs18 billion.

The board expects its major revenue streams to include$25.9 million (approx. Rs7.7 billion) from the ICC, Rs1.16 billion from the upcoming Asia Cup, Rs2.5 billion from PSL 11, and smaller streams from international matches and commercial operations.

As the PCB tries to balance its books in a year of shrinking revenues, mounting infrastructure costs, and financial scrutiny, the decision to expand the central contract pool signals a commitment to rewarding talent at the top level, even if it comes with trade-offs in other parts of the domestic game.