(From left) White-ball head coach Mike Hesson, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Mohsin Naqvi and Chief Working Officer of the PCB Sumair Ahmed Syed addressing the media in Lahore on June 15, 2026. — PCB
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday introduced sweeping adjustments to its participant contract system, introducing a significant restructuring aimed toward modernising participant administration and strengthening the nation’s cricket framework.
In a media briefing forward of the 2026 contracting cycle, the PCB officers, together with chairman Mohsin Naqvi, confirmed it’s shifting away from the normal category-based grading system of A, B, C and D contracts and changing it with a format-specific mannequin constructed round 5 distinct participant tracks.
The premier tier, Observe AB — Twin Format (Check & ODI) — represents the very best degree of dedication within the new system. It’s designed for gamers able to performing throughout each Check and ODI cricket, with emphasis on adaptability throughout codecs.
Occasional number of an AB-category participant for T20 Internationals won’t represent a reclassification, and such appearances can be handled as situational necessities fairly than a change in participant standing.
Observe A is reserved for red-ball specialists, solely centered on Check cricket. The PCB stated the class is designed to guard and strengthen long-format experience by permitting gamers to prioritise first-class and Check commitments with out the added calls for of limited-overs cricket, supported by devoted efficiency provisions.
Observe BC, masking ODIs and T20 Internationals, will function the first pathway for white-ball cricketers. It replaces the earlier separate ODI class and brings collectively Pakistan’s limited-overs specialists underneath a unified construction.
Observe C has been launched for T20 specialists and franchise-focused gamers, recognising the rising significance of world franchise leagues alongside worldwide commitments. The PCB stated the class affords flexibility for gamers concerned in short-format cricket whereas sustaining nationwide crew obligations.
Observe D is a growth pathway aligned with the Nationwide Cricket Academy system, aimed toward rising gamers progressing by way of Pakistan’s high-performance construction. Every senior class will embody two inside tiers, permitting motion between ranges primarily based on type and efficiency.
The PCB stated the reform is meant to create clearer profession pathways, enhance accountability, and make sure the long-term sustainability of Check cricket alongside the rising calls for of white-ball and franchise codecs.
Underneath the brand new mannequin, gamers can be contracted in response to their main format tasks fairly than a unified grading system.
The board described the shift as role-based recognition, the place gamers are assessed and rewarded in response to the precise calls for of the codecs they symbolize.
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi stated the brand new system offers higher readability for gamers and stakeholders, guaranteeing clear decision-making and clearly outlined expectations.
The contracting framework can be applied from the 2026 central contracts cycle. It should additionally introduce a structured three-stage evaluation course of involving medical and health evaluations, necessary home participation, and format-specific efficiency evaluation.
The PCB emphasised that participant welfare and sustained engagement in home cricket stay central to the brand new construction.
It added that focused incentives have been launched to safeguard Check cricket amid the worldwide rise of franchise leagues, framing the initiative as a strategic funding in red-ball cricket.
Naqvi famous that cricket boards worldwide are dealing with comparable challenges in balancing Check and franchise calls for, including that Pakistan has chosen structural reform to deal with the difficulty.
The PCB additional confirmed that particular person participant classes and monetary particulars underneath the brand new system won’t be disclosed at this stage.
The board stated the overhaul represents a long-term shift aimed toward aligning Pakistan cricket with trendy calls for whereas preserving the integrity and energy of its conventional codecs.
PCB chief additionally addressed current media stories regarding the alleged appointments of former Pakistan captains Younis Khan and Mohammad Hafeez in teaching or mentoring roles with the nationwide aspect.
Talking throughout a media interplay, Naqvi stated that a number of stories had circulated within the media earlier than any official affirmation from the board, creating pointless confusion and hypothesis.
“A few days ago, a headline was circulating that Younis Khan, who has been appointed as head coach or mentor of the Test team—whatever the exact role is—I only come to know such things through the channel,” Naqvi stated.
The PCB chairman additional clarified that discussions had been ongoing concerning staffing wants and figuring out areas the place extra assist was required. He famous that a number of stories circulating within the media about appointments had been untimely and never consistent with any official affirmation from the board.
He added that regardless of the hypothesis, his strategy remained centered on involving all accessible expertise to strengthen Pakistan cricket.
“I cannot do much about it, but whoever can contribute to improving cricket at this time, I will go to each and every person, involve them, and take them along as well,” he said
Individually, stories additionally indicated that Sarfaraz Ahmed would proceed in his present function and had been cleared to stay concerned with the Check setup for upcoming excursions of the West Indies and England, regardless of hypothesis about attainable adjustments following current crew performances.
