The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has significantly increased the annual fees for departmental cricket teams as part of its revised domestic cricket structure.
The board has also issued a new policy covering departmental cricket competitions and player contracts.
The decision has sparked concern among several departments participating in domestic tournaments, with officials warning that the new financial requirements could discourage participation.
According to the revised policy, Grade One departmental teams will now be required to pay an annual fee of Rs15 million to compete in PCB competitions.
For Grade Two cricket, Gold category teams will have to pay Rs4.2 million annually, while Silver category teams will be charged Rs4 million per year.
The PCB has simultaneously introduced minimum salary requirements for players representing departmental sides.
Under the new regulations, Grade One departments must pay at least one player a minimum monthly salary of Rs125,000, equivalent to Rs1.5 million annually.
Grade Two Gold teams must offer players a minimum monthly salary of Rs75,000, while Grade Two Silver teams will be required to pay at least Rs50,000 per month.
The board has also made one-year player contracts mandatory for all participating departments.
Department officials have expressed reservations over the new framework, arguing that organizations already cover all operational, travel, accommodation and player-related expenses without financial assistance.
Sources within departmental cricket circles said the annual fee structure has increased sharply over the last few years.
Initially, the fee stood at Rs3 million before being raised to Rs5 million last year.
The latest increase to Rs15 million for Grade One teams has been described by some stakeholders as excessive and financially burdensome.
Department representatives believe that mandatory salary limits, combined with higher annual fees, will create additional pressure on budgets and could reduce interest in maintaining cricket teams.
They also argue that most departments already pay competitive salaries to their players and that fixed minimum salary requirements reduce financial flexibility.
The PCB, however, believes the new regulations will improve player welfare and help professionalize departmental cricket in Pakistan.
The revised policy also covers the President’s Trophy First-Class tournament, the President’s Cup One-Day competition and the President’s Trophy Grade Two Gold and Silver events.
For Grade One cricket, the match fee for playing members of the squad has been fixed at Rs10,000 per match.
Reserve players will receive Rs5,000 per match, while a daily allowance of Rs5,000 has been approved separately.
For Grade Two competitions, the match fee has been set at Rs5,000, while players will receive a daily allowance of Rs4,000.
The PCB has called an important meeting on June 29 to discuss departmental cricket matters and review concerns raised by participating organizations.
