Aaqib Javed outlines major changes to Pakistan central contracts system

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Director of High Performance Aaqib Javed has said that introducing separate central contracts for each format is a first step toward a major structural shift in Pakistan cricket.

Speaking to media in Lahore, he explained that Test, One-Day International (ODI), and T20 cricket will be treated as separate categories under the new system to ensure fair evaluation and workload management of players. He said that previously, players from different formats were compared unfairly, which affected performance assessments and financial rewards.

Aaqib Javed stated that under the proposed model, players will be rewarded strictly on performance within their respective formats. He added that top-performing Test cricketers could earn up to Rs4 million per month, while others may receive between Rs3 million and Rs3.5 million depending on form and consistency.

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He further explained eligibility criteria for contracts, saying that players must meet specific domestic participation requirements. For instance, those aiming for Test contracts will need to play at least six first-class matches, while combined Test and ODI players must participate in four first-class and four List A matches.

According to him, players in different categories will also have limits on No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for franchise leagues. Test players may receive permission for one franchise league, while white-ball specialists could be granted up to two.

The PCB official said the aim is to discourage players from spreading themselves across all formats without focus. “We want players to concentrate on their primary format and develop specialization,” he said.

He also acknowledged that changes in the T20 squad are inevitable, pointing out that performance and commitment in domestic cricket will play a key role in selection and contract continuation.

Aaqib Javed concluded that the system is designed to build a stronger pipeline of format-specific players and improve Pakistan’s overall performance, particularly in Test cricket, where consistency has been a concern.