PCB announces 50% hike in monthly retainers for Pakistan women cricketers

Great news has come in for Pakistan’s women cricketers as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a significant rise in their monthly retainers. Under the new central contracts, female players will receive a 50% salary increase, marking a big step forward for women’s cricket in the country.

This boost not only adds value to the players' efforts but also reflects the board’s recognition of their growing contributions to the sport. It shows a clear commitment towards supporting women athletes and encouraging them to continue performing at a high level.

With better financial support, the players are likely to feel more motivated and confident. This increase will inspire greater enthusiasm, determination, and focus, helping them represent the country with pride and work even harder to achieve success on the international stage.

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Rise in Salary for Pakistan Women's Cricket Team:

Pakistan’s women’s central contracts were recently finalized through a joint effort by the women’s selection committee and head coach Mohammad Wasim, marking an important step for the team’s future. These contracts will be effective retrospectively from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, and the 50% pay raise will apply across all contract categories.

The announcement is timely, with Pakistan’s women’s cricket team preparing for a busy and challenging schedule ahead. They are set to take part in two major ICC tournaments — the ODI World Cup in September-October 2025 and the T20 World Cup in June-July 2026. In addition, the team will compete in several bilateral series, both at home and on international tours.

Which Player is in Which Category?

Central Contract Category A: Fatima Sana, Muneeba Ali, Sadia Iqbal, and Sidra Amin

Category B: Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, and Nashra Sandhu

Category C: Rameen Shamim

Category D: Gull Feroza, Najiha Alvi, Natalia Parvaiz, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sidra Nawaz, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani, and Waheeda Akhtar

Category E: Eyman Fatima and Shawaal Zulfiqar

Sadia Iqbal, the top-ranked bowler in ICC Women’s T20I rankings, received the biggest promotion, moving up to Category A along with Fatima Sana, Muneeba Ali, and Sidra Amin. Fast bowler Diana Baig was upgraded to Category B, while off-spinner Rameen Shamim moved to Category C and is currently the only player placed in that category.

Aliya Riaz, who was not offered a central contract last year, makes a comeback this time in Category B. Meanwhile, Nida Dar remains absent from the contracts list. She had taken an indefinite break from cricket in April following a dip in form and strained relations with the current PCB management, which impacted her selection.

This year, the PCB has introduced a new fifth tier called Category E, specifically created to support and develop young talent. Labeled as the Emerging category, it aims to provide a platform for promising players to grow within the national setup.

Eyman Fatima, yet to make her international debut, and Shawaal Zulfiqar, who has appeared in three ODIs and seven T20Is, have been placed in the new Emerging category. Both players were part of Pakistan’s squad in the 2023 ICC Women’s U-19 World Cup and are currently representing the team in the ongoing T20I series in Ireland.

This year, Category D includes ten players, with fresh additions like Natalia Parvaiz, Sidra Nawaz, and Waheeda Akhtar.Their inclusion highlights the PCB’s effort to broaden opportunities and strengthen the depth of talent in the national women’s squad.