Quaid-e-Azam Trophy match fees hiked more than threefold to Rs100,000
- PCB allocates Rs6.7bn for upgrading Karachi stadium, infrastructure
The PCB approved a surplus budget for 2026-27, implementing major financial and structural reforms to boost domestic cricket, enhance player welfare, and upgrade infrastructure across Pakistan.
- PSL administrative and financial autonomy.
- Increased domestic cricket budget and player fees.
- New women's tournaments and ground staff wages.
- Major infrastructure upgrades for stadiums.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Board of Governors (BOG) unanimously approved a surplus budget for the new fiscal year 2026-27 during its 84th meeting, chaired by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Monday.
The board approved a series of landmarks financial and structural reforms aimed at developing domestic cricket, modernising infrastructure, and enhancing player welfare.
Among the key decisions, the BOG approved the budget for the 12th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and greenlit a proposal to grant the league complete administrative and financial autonomy. Chief Financial Officer Javed Murtaza briefed the attendees on the contours and key figures of the newly approved fiscal layout.
In a major boost for grassroots cricket, the domestic cricket budget has been increased by Rs 1 billion, elevating total spending from Rs 3 billion to Rs 4 billion. Furthermore, the board approved a revised format and payment structure for the upcoming central contracts, alongside a match fee hike for national team players.
Domestic cricketers received a substantial financial boost, with Quaid-e-Azam Trophy match fees raised from Rs 30,000 to Rs 100,000 per match. Match fees for reserve players were also increased from Rs 15,000 to Rs 50,000. Additionally, the BOG allocated dedicated funds to organise exclusive women’s One Day International (ODI) and T20 tournaments, fixed the minimum wage for regional ground staff at Rs 42,000, and sanctioned funds to operationalise 12 additional cricket grounds across the country.
For infrastructure development, the PCB allocated Rs6.7 billion for the upgradation of the National Bank Cricket Stadium in Karachi and other venues. Funds were also set aside to install a state-of-the-art biomechanics machine at the High Performance Centre in Lahore.
The meeting formally ratified the decisions made during the previous BOG session. The meeting was attended by BOG members Anwar Ghani, Punjab Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman, Ismail Qureshi, Sajjad Khokhar, Tanveer Ahmed, and Adnan Malik. Legendary cricketer Zaheer Abbas, Additional Secretary Cabinet Division Mir Hasan Naqvi, PCB Chief Operating Officer Sameer Ahmed, PSL Chief Executive Officer Salman Naseer, and other senior directors were also present.