CRICKET: A TEST OF RESOLVE |
Under the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) revamped central contract policy for the 2026-27 season, the road to the top now runs through Test cricket and domestic cricket.
It is a landmark shift in philosophy. The PCB has moved away from the traditional A, B, C and D grading system and introduced a format-based contract structure that rewards players according to the role they play for Pakistan, rather than simply how much they are paid.
More importantly, the board has made it clear that the country’s highest-paid cricketers will be those who commit themselves to the longest format of the game. It is a bold attempt to change the culture of Pakistan cricket at a time when the national team’s performances in Test cricket have reached one of their lowest points in recent years.
The biggest structural change is the replacement of the old grading system with five format-based tracks. Previously, the players were placed in Categories A, B, C or D. Those categories reflected salary and status but did not distinguish whether a player was a Test specialist, an all-format cricketer or a T20 expert.
The Pakistan Cricket Board’s revamped central contract policy aims to put red-ball cricket at the forefront of player development. But the best of intentions might still be up against the reality of global cricket economics
The Pakistan Cricket Board’s revamped central contract policy aims to put red-ball cricket at the forefront of player development. But the best of intentions might still be up against the reality of global cricket economics
The new system changes that completely.
Track AB is reserved for Pakistan’s premier Test and ODI players — the cricketers expected to lead the national side in both formats. Although these players can still feature in T20Is, the PCB does not consider T20 cricket their primary role.
Track A has been created exclusively for Test specialists. It is one of the most significant additions to the new policy, recognising players who dedicate themselves to red-ball cricket. These players may........