Pakistan Sports | June 2026 | 4 min read
⚡ Quick Takeaways
- PCB’s format-based central contracts are being treated as a step toward separate Test, ODI and T20 squads.
- Aqib Javed says Test and T20 cricket now need different skills, preparation and career planning.
- Players will be judged within their own contract track instead of being compared across very different formats.
- Domestic cricket participation has been linked to contracts, salaries and overseas league permissions.
- The plan could change Pakistan’s selection culture, but its success will depend on consistency and fair implementation.
Pakistan cricket is moving toward a more specialist structure as the PCB links new central contracts with the long-term idea of building separate teams for Test, ODI and T20I cricket.
| 3 Formats targeted |
Rs. 4.8m Top Test-ODI monthly salary |
16-20 Emerging D Category players proposed |
PCB Wants Players to Specialise by Format
Pakistan’s new format-based central contracts are more than a salary reshuffle. According to Director of High Performance Aqib Javed, the model is the first step toward creating clearer pathways for players in Test, ODI and T20I cricket. The idea is to stop treating all formats as one combined workload and instead recognise that each version of the game now demands different skills, fitness standards and preparation.
Aqib has argued that modern cricket no longer allows the same group of players to approach every format in the same way. Test cricket needs patience, long spells, strong technique and first-class match rhythm. T20 cricket rewards power hitting, death bowling, fielding speed and quick decision-making. ODIs sit between the two, requiring both endurance and aggressive scoring phases.
| Why it matters: The biggest immediate shift is expected between Test and T20 cricket, where Pakistan wants players to prepare for sharply different demands. |
Contracts Now Link Pay With Format Roles
Under the revised approach, players are expected to be assessed inside their own contract category rather than being compared with cricketers active in a completely different format. That change is important for Test specialists, who often have fewer international appearances than T20 players but carry a major workload in red-ball cricket.
The new model also introduces stronger financial incentives. Top performers in the Test category could earn up to Rs. 4 million per month, while other players in the same bracket may receive between Rs. 3 million and Rs. 3.5 million. Salaries in the Test-ODI category could rise as high as Rs. 4.8 million per month, giving multi-format red-ball and 50-over players a higher earning ceiling.
| Contract track | Domestic requirement | NOC direction | Main purpose |
| Test | At least six first-class matches | Overseas four-day cricket may be allowed | Protect red-ball preparation |
| Test-ODI | Four first-class and four List A matches | One franchise league may be permitted | Balance long-format and ODI skills |
| ODI-T20 | Two List A and 10 domestic T20 matches | Up to two NOCs may be possible | Reward white-ball specialists |
| T20 only | Domestic T20 participation required | More availability for franchise cricket | Keep short-format players match ready |
Domestic Cricket Becomes a Bigger Test
A major part of the plan is the link between contracts and domestic participation. Players in the Test category will need to appear in at least six first-class matches. Test-ODI players will need a mix of first-class and List A appearances, while ODI-T20 players will be expected to play domestic one-day and T20 games. This requirement is meant to keep contracted players connected with Pakistan’s local cricket structure.
The NOC policy also appears to be built around format priorities. Test players may be directed toward longer-format overseas cricket, while white-ball players could have greater space for franchise leagues. That is designed to reduce the clash between national development and private league commitments, a recurring issue in Pakistan cricket.
| Warning for players: Aqib indicated that contracts could be put on hold if domestic participation requirements are not met. |
Separate Squads Could Change Pakistan Selection
If the system is followed consistently, Pakistan could gradually move toward more settled squads in each format. A player may still be selected across formats when form and team balance allow it, but the basic development path would become clearer. Emerging players in the proposed D Category, expected to include 16 to 20 names, could be trained early for the format that best suits their skills.
The model may also help reduce selection confusion before major events such as the Asia Cup and future ICC tournaments. Pakistan has often moved players between formats quickly, sometimes without giving them enough time to adjust. A format-based pathway could improve planning, workload control and bench strength.
However, the reform will only work if the PCB applies it with transparency. Players will need clear criteria, domestic tournaments must remain competitive, and selectors must avoid using format labels as a rigid barrier. The aim should be better preparation, not limiting talented players who can genuinely perform in more than one format.
| Bottom line: Format-based contracts could give Pakistan cricket a clearer development system, but results will depend on fair selection, strong domestic cricket and consistent enforcement. |
Disclaimer: This article is based on current public reporting and PCB-related statements available at the time of writing. Contract details and squad planning may change after official board approval or future announcements.
