Performance-related incentives for players

Players such as Inzamam-ul-Haq, a Category A player, will receive Rs 100,000 for every hundred they score © AFP

Pakistan's top players will earn at least Rs 3 million (US$ 49,000) a year in the new central contracts scheme announced by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). In addition, the board revealed details of the financial performance-related incentives on offer for individual players and the team.

The PCB had already confirmed a basic 25% pay rise in central contracts last week - players in the top tier now earn Rs 250,000 (US$ 4,100) per month; in the tier below them players earn Rs 156,250 (US$ 2,600)and players in the bottom tier Rs 93,750 (US$ 1,500) per month. There has been no movement between tiers for players this year and the categorisation of players remain as it was last year.

Additionally, for every Test century scored, the player will receive Rs 100,000 (US$ 1,600) as well as a number of points which will eventually help him to move up a tier. A knock of 150 will earn the player Rs 150,000 (US$ 2,500) and similar rewards will be given to bowlers who take five wickets in an innings or ten in a match.

And if this weren't enough, bonuses are on offer for wins in each of the bilateral series Pakistan play in this year, against England, West Indies and South Africa. Further, if Pakistan reach the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy, each member of the squad will receive Rs 100,000. If they reach the final, it will be double that figure; should they win, each Pakistan player stands to earn Rs 500,000 (US$ 8,300). The amounts will be doubled for similar performances in the World Cup, though if Pakistan win that, the PCB says there is no limit on the bonus amount.

Thankfully, it isn't only players in the national squad who are benefiting from the PCB's cash windfalls from the last couple of years. Shabbir Ahmed, suspended for a year from international cricket for having an illegal bowling action, did not find himself on the list of contracted players, but he is currently receiving Rs 30,000 (US$ 500) a month and will be considered for a six-month contract if he comes back in December with a rectified action.

A number of retainer contracts are also likely to be announced in the next few days, specifically for younger players who are about to make a mark in international cricket. Though these players are not necessarily the next best set of players, they will be chosen from an Under-19 group who are likely to be in and around the Pakistan set-up in coming years. Reserve players on the England tour will also be paid a monthly salary, even if they do not play.

Finally, the PCB's ad-hoc committee has also decided to set up a benefit fund for ex-Test players, similar to a pensions scheme for all players who have played Test cricket for Pakistan. The details of this scheme have not been finalised yet.

Category A - Inzamam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Yousuf, Abdul Razzaq, Shoaib Akhtar, Younis Khan, Shahid Afridi

Category B - Mohammad Sami, Shoaib Malik, Danish Kaneria, Kamran Akmal

Category C - Asim Kamal, Imran Farhat, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, Shahid Nazir, Salman Butt, Bazid Khan, Umar Gul, Rao Iftikhar Anjum, Mohammad Asif, Faisal Iqbal