Pakistan Test Cricketers Get Salary Hikes and Bonuses Under New Central Contracts Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced significant financial upgrades for Test cricketers ahead of the 2026-27 central contract cycle, aiming to prioritize the sport’s longest format. The revised proposals include higher match fees, monthly retainers, and performance-based bonuses for players across different categories. The changes mark a shift toward a format-specific contract system, dividing players into three tracks—Track A for Test specialists, Track B for limited-overs players, and Track C for T20 and franchise cricket participants. Under the new framework, Track A players, who focus on Test cricket, will receive a match fee of approximately 15 lakh Pakistani rupees per game, up from the previous 8 lakh. Their monthly retainers are projected to reach around 40 lakh rupees before taxes. Players who compete in both Test and white-ball formats (Track A and B) will benefit the most, with retainers potentially rising to 48-50 lakh rupees monthly. These figures are part of PCB’s effort to incentivize Test cricket, which has faced declining interest in recent years. The revised contracts also introduce performance-based bonuses. For instance, if the Pakistan team wins an ICC tournament, players will receive a 500% bonus on their match fees. Similarly, a 300% bonus is promised for victories in regional events like the Asia Cup. Track B players, who focus on limited-overs formats, will get a monthly retainer of about 18 lakh rupees, while Track C players, primarily involved in T20 and franchise leagues, will receive 12-15 lakh rupees monthly. A notable aspect of the proposal is the decision to keep player names and categories confidential, a first for PCB.#pakistan_cricket_board #mike_hesson #asia_cup #sarfaraz_ahmed #icc_tournaments
Irfan Pathan Advises Arshdeep Singh to Focus on New Ball Bowling and Economy Ahead of IPL 2026 Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has highlighted a key weakness in Punjab Kings' squad ahead of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) and urged fast bowler Arshdeep Singh to refine his performance with the new ball. Pathan, who recently shared insights on his YouTube channel, emphasized the need for Arshdeep to improve his swing and control, particularly when bowling with the new ball, to maximize his impact for the team. Arshdeep, a key player for Punjab Kings, has been a consistent performer in the tournament, securing 127 wickets in his career. However, Pathan pointed out that the bowler has struggled to maintain his effectiveness with the new ball in recent matches. "Arshdeep is still taking wickets, but he needs to focus more on bowling with the new ball," Pathan said. "In the past year, he hasn’t been able to generate much swing, which is a concern." Pathan also raised concerns about Arshdeep’s economy rate, which has increased from 8.29 in the 2025 Asia Cup to 9.05 since then. The former captain noted that after the Asia Cup, Arshdeep’s figures have shown a slight decline, particularly in his ability to control the new ball. "His numbers have dipped, especially with the new ball, and he needs to work on that," Pathan added. Arshdeep’s performance in the T20 format has been notable, with a strong record in the powerplay overs. During the 2024 T20 World Cup, he played a crucial role in India’s victory, taking 17 wickets at an economy rate of 7.16. He is ranked among the top fast bowlers in the powerplay, trailing only Bhuvneshwar Kumar in India’s bowling hierarchy. In the powerplay, Arshdeep has taken 90 wickets in 161 matches at an economy rate of 8.24.#ipl_2026 #irfan_pathan #arshdeep_singh #punjab_kings #asia_cup
