Big News for Pakistan Women’s Cricket
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially announced central contracts for 20 women cricketers for the 2025–26 season, starting July 1, and here’s the big news: there’s a 50% salary increase across all categories.
In the board’s own words, “We’ve increased retainers by 50% across all categories,” the PCB confirmed in its official statement.
It’s more than just numbers — it’s a step that shows the board is finally backing its women’s players not just with words, but with real, financial support.
What Changed and Why It Matters
For years, Pakistan’s women cricketers have struggled with limited funding and match time. Now, better pay means fewer financial distractions and more time to focus on their performance and careers.
It’s not just about money — it’s about support and long-term development.
Contract Categories: A to E
The PCB introduced five contract categories — A through E — based on performance, potential, and contributions to the national side.
🥇 Category A – The Top Performers
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Sadia Iqbal (currently the world’s top-ranked T20I bowler)
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Fatima Sana
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Muneeba Ali
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Sidra Amin
These players have consistently delivered for Pakistan and now lead the list.
⬆️ Promotions That Stand Out
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Diana Baig moved up from Category C to Category B
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Rameen Shamim moved from D to C
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Aliya Riaz joins Category B after being left out in the previous cycle
These changes reward form, effort, and progress.
🆕 New Entries in Category D
New names include:
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Natalia Parvaiz
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Sidra Nawaz
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Waheeda Akhtar
These players bring depth and experience to the middle tiers of the squad.
Category E — Investing in the Future
For the first time, PCB introduced Category E for emerging talent. Two promising young cricketers made the cut:
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Eyman Fatima
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Shawaal Zulfiqar
Both impressed during Pakistan’s U19 campaign and the Ireland tour, and now have a clear development path.
Why This Move Matters
This update isn’t just about the 50% salary hike — it shows the PCB is serious about creating a structure that allows women’s cricket to grow.
It’s a message: If you perform, there’s space for you — and you’ll be paid fairly too.
This structure also helps Pakistan prepare for two major upcoming events:
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Women’s ODI World Cup (late 2025)
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Women’s T20 World Cup (mid-2026)
Final Thoughts
This is a turning point for women’s cricket in Pakistan.
Top players are finally getting recognition. New talent is being brought in. And for the first time, there’s a clear sense of direction and structure.
It won’t solve everything overnight, but it’s a meaningful, necessary step toward building a stronger, more competitive women’s team.
✅ Quick Recap
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20 women awarded central contracts for 2025–26
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50% salary boost across all categories
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4 players in Category A: Sadia Iqbal, Fatima Sana, Muneeba Ali, Sidra Amin
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New entries and promotions across B, C, and D
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Category E introduced for emerging players: Eyman Fatima and Shawaal Zulfiqar
For more updates, visit sportupia.com
