Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has issued new central contracts for the national women's cricket team for the 2025–26 season, operating from July 1, 2025 through to June 30, 2026. One of the main highlights of the new contract cycle is a 50% hike in monthly retainer fees for all players in every category. New Central Contracts With Huge Pay Hike The move by the PCB to raise retainers is a reflection of its intent on fostering women's cricket and rewarding the best performers. The new contracts have been finalized by the women's selection committee and head coach Mohammad Wasim and will operate retrospectively from July 1. The largest promotion has been given to the leading ICC T20I bowler Sadia Iqbal, who has been promoted to Category A. She is placed in the top category alongside Fatima Sana, Muneeba Ali, and Sidra Amin. Sadia's impressive performance during the ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier, where she picked nine wickets and was included in the Team of the Tournament, was instrumental in her promotion. Also Read | Pakistan Postpones Ireland Series Citing Tight Schedule Aliya Riaz, who did not hold a central contract during the last season, has been placed in Category B. Likewise, Diana Baig was upgraded from Category C to Category B, while Rameen Shamim was shifted from Category D to C. Nida Dar, who had gone on an indefinite hiatus from cricket at the beginning of this year, still does not figure on the contract list. This year, the PCB has added a new fifth category, Category E, for new players. This is to develop young talent in the national academy. Uncapped batter Eyman Fatima and Shawaal Zulfiqar, who has played international cricket already, are the first to be included in this category. Both were part of the 2023 ICC Women's U19 World Cup and are also in the side that is on tour in Ireland. The list of 20 players under the 2025–26 contract is comprised of ten players who have been included in Category D and are the new faces, Sidra Nawaz, Waheeda Akhtar, and Natalia Parvaiz. The contracts aim to sustain players during a hectic schedule of two ICC events - the ODI World Cup in September-October 2025 and T20 World Cup in June-July 2026, as well as some bilateral series at home and abroad. PCB Women's Central Contract List for 2025–26 Category A: Fatima Sana, Muneeba Ali, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin Category B: Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Nashra Sandhu Category C: Rameen Shamim Category D: Gull Feroza, Najiha Alvi, Natalia Parvaiz, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sidra Nawaz, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani, Waheeda Akhtar Category E (Emerging): Eyman Fatima, Shawaal Zulfiqar