Lahore, June 16, 2026: The Pakistan Cricket Board (Pakistan Cricket Board) will not publicly disclose the category-wise distribution of national cricketers under its revamped central contracts system, which has replaced the traditional A, B, C and D grading structure with a new format-specific framework.
According to an official statement and internal document cited by insiders, the PCB has shifted to a five-track model designed to align player development and selection more closely with format specialization. Under the new system, players will be placed into distinct performance pathways rather than publicly visible contract categories.
The newly introduced structure includes Track AB for cricketers capable of performing in both Test and ODI formats, while Track A is reserved for red-ball specialists. Track BC covers players involved in ODIs and T20 Internationals, whereas Track C is designed for T20 specialists and franchise-oriented players. Track D has been defined as a developmental pathway linked to the National Cricket Academy system.
However, in a notable departure from past practice, the PCB will not reveal how many players fall into each track or how contracts are distributed across categories. Officials describe the arrangement as a selection and management matter rather than a fixed public classification.
“The board will not be disclosing how many contracts sit within each track. The number and distribution of contracts is a selection matter, reviewed each cycle, and not a fixed public figure,” the document stated.
Sources further revealed that centrally contracted players will be required to participate in a set number of domestic matches depending on their assigned track, reinforcing the PCB’s renewed emphasis on domestic cricket participation.
Insiders indicated that players have been informed they may need to feature in approximately five first-class and 10 List A matches, depending on workload and availability. Contracted players will also be expected to remain available for domestic competitions during gaps in the international calendar.
Despite the structural overhaul, the PCB clarified that all centrally contracted players remain eligible for selection across all three international formats, meaning players can still be moved between squads based on performance and team requirements.
