PCB boosts women’s cricket with new contracts for 2025-26 season

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday unveiled new central contracts for its leading female cricketers for the 2025-26 season. The contracts, which will run from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, have been awarded to 20 players across five distinct categories and include a significant 50% increase in compensation.

This move is a major step toward professionalizing women’s cricket in Pakistan and providing greater financial security for the athletes.

The announcement comes ahead of a busy year for the Pakistan women’s team, who will participate in two major international tournaments: the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in September-October 2025 and the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in June 2026.

Among the 20 contracted players, six are new inclusions to the list: Aliya Riaz, Natalia Pervaiz, Sidra Nawaz, Waheeda Akhtar, Eyman Fatima, and Shawaal Zulfiqar.

Category A, the highest tier, includes key players Fatima Sana, Muneeba Ali, Sadia Iqbal, and Sidra Ameen. Players in Category B are Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, and Nashra Sandhu, while Category C features Ramin Shamim.

In Category D, the players are Gull Feroza, Najia Alvi, Natalia Pervaiz, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sidra Nawaz, Aroob Shah, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani, and Waheeda Akhtar.

Young cricketers Eyman Fatima and Shawaal Zulfiqar have been placed in the newly created Category E.

A PCB official, commenting on the initiative, said, “This significant increase in compensation is a testament to our commitment to the growth of women’s cricket. We believe that by providing these athletes with better financial support and a clear career path, we can help them focus on their game and achieve even greater success on the international stage.”

This latest initiative marks a key milestone for women’s cricket in the country. By recognizing both established stars and promising young talent, the PCB is not only rewarding hard work but also laying a strong foundation for the team’s long-term success and sustainability.