Pakistani Cricketers Still Earning Big Amid Slump
Pakistan’s cricket stars continue to cash in millions even as their performance nosedives — and now, one lucrative perk is on its way out. The 3% ICC revenue share, secured two years ago after senior players pressured the PCB’s management, is expected to feature for the last time in this year’s central contracts.
While monthly salaries and match fees will remain unchanged for 2025–26, the PCB has quietly hiked the retainer budget by a whopping 37% — from ₨854 million to ₨1.173 billion — fuelling talk of hidden pay boosts.
On the pitch, the numbers tell an ugly story: just 1 win in 3 Tests, 2 wins in 11 ODIs, and a flat 7–7 record in T20Is. Bangladesh, ranked 10th in T20s, beat Pakistan 2–1, while West Indies jumped from 10th to 9th in ODIs after a 2–1 win. Pakistan now languishes at 8th in T20Is and 5th in ODIs and Tests, even struggling against lower-ranked sides. Fans are fuming, and the PCB isn’t thrilled either.
To add to the mess, players haven’t received shirt sponsor logo payments for months — despite contracts promising it. Officials claim no other board makes such payouts, but the agreement still requires it.
Match fees stay at ₨1.26m for Tests, ₨644k for ODIs, and ₨418k for T20s. Category A players will keep earning ₨6.57m per month (including ICC share), Category B ₨4.55m, Category C ₨2.03m, and Category D ₨1.26m.
The PCB is expanding last year’s 25-player list to 30, with the new contracts expected to be unveiled later this month.