The salary of Pakistani cricketers varies based on several factors, including their central contracts, match fees, and endorsements. Here’s a breakdown:
1. Central Contracts
- Categories: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) offers contracts categorized into different tiers (A+, A, B, C) based on performance and experience.
- A+ Category: Top players earn around PKR 25 million (approximately USD 140,000) annually.
- A Category: Players in this category earn around PKR 15 million (approximately USD 85,000) per year.
- B Category: This tier has salaries of about PKR 10 million (approximately USD 57,000) annually.
- C Category: Players in this category earn around PKR 5 million (approximately USD 28,000) per year.
2. Match Fees
- Cricketers receive match fees for each game played. This fee can vary:
- Test Matches: Players earn around PKR 500,000 (approximately USD 2,800) per Test match.
- One Day Internationals (ODIs): Match fees are about PKR 300,000 (approximately USD 1,700) per ODI.
- T20 Internationals: Players receive around PKR 150,000 (approximately USD 850) per T20 match.
3. Bonuses
4. Endorsements
- Top players often have lucrative endorsement deals with brands, which can significantly boost their earnings. Star cricketers like Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi are known to have substantial sponsorship deals.
Summary
In summary, the total salary of a Pakistani cricketer can range from several million PKR annually, depending on their contract tier, match fees, performance bonuses, and endorsements. Players in higher categories or with star status can earn substantially more, making cricket a lucrative profession in Pakistan.