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Key Points

Sadia Iqbal has been promoted to Category A in Pakistan's women's central contracts, joining skipper Fatima Sana. The PCB also upgraded Diana Baig and Rameen Shamim while introducing an Emerging category for young talent. Contracts now feature a 50% pay rise as Pakistan prepares for upcoming ICC tournaments. The team is set to play Ireland in a T20I series this August.

Key Points: Sadia Iqbal Promoted to Pakistan Women's Cricket Category A

  • Sadia Iqbal joins Fatima Sana in Category A after stellar T20I performances
  • Diana Baig and Rameen Shamim also secure contract upgrades
  • PCB introduces Emerging category for uncapped talent like Eyman Fatima
  • Contracts see 50% increase in retainers ahead of ICC events
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Sadia Iqbal moves to Category 'A' in Pakistan women's central contracts list

Top-ranked T20I bowler Sadia Iqbal earns Category A promotion as PCB upgrades contracts for Diana Baig, Rameen Shamim, and introduces Emerging category.

"Both players are members of the Ireland-bound Pakistan women’s squad - PCB"

New Delhi, Aug 6

Top-ranked women’s T20I bowler Sadia Iqbal has earned a promotion to Category ‘A’ in Pakistan women’s central contracts list for the 2025/26 season. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) also said Diana Baig (promoted from Category C to B) and Rameen Shamim (from Category D to C) have also earned contract upgrades.

Sadia joined skipper Fatima Sana, Muneeba Ali and Sidra Amin in terms of Category A players. Aliya Riaz (Category B), Natalia Parvaiz (Category D), Sidra Nawaz (Category D), Waheeda Akhtar (Category D). A total of 20 players have been awarded contracts across five categories, with 10 players placed in Category D.

To encourage young and budding cricketers, the PCB has also introduced an ‘E’ category, designated as the Emerging category, with the uncapped Eyman Fatima and Shawaal Zulfiqar, who has three ODIs and seven T20Is.

“Both players are members of the Ireland-bound Pakistan women’s squad, which is set to play three T20Is from 6 to 10 August in Dublin. Also, both players were part of the inaugural edition of the ICC Women’s U19 World Cup held in South Africa in January 2023,” added PCB.

The contracts, which run from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026, see a substantial 50 per cent increase across all categories in player retainers. PCB added that the contracts were finalised by the women’s selection committee in consultation with head coach Muhammad Wasim.

Pakistan are scheduled to feature in two ICC events – ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup (September-October 2025) and the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup (June 2026), in addition to playing bilateral series at home and away.

Category A: Fatima Sana, Muneeba Ali, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin

Category B: Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Nashra Sundhu

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 and Waheeda Akhtar

Category E: Eyman Fatima and Shawaal Zulfiqar

- IANS

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Reader Comments

A
Ananya R
While I appreciate PCB's efforts, I wish our media gave equal coverage to Indian women cricketers. Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana are world-class players but often overshadowed by men's cricket coverage. Gender equality in sports media needs improvement!
V
Vikram M
The 50% pay hike is impressive! Hope this inspires more young girls in Pakistan to take up cricket professionally. Sports can be such a great equalizer in society. Wishing the Pakistan women's team all the best for upcoming tournaments 🤝
P
Priya S
Interesting to see the 'E' category for emerging players. BCCI should consider similar initiatives to nurture young talent. The U19 Women's World Cup has shown there's so much potential waiting to be tapped across South Asia!
S
Sarah B
As someone who follows women's cricket globally, I must say Pakistan's progress is commendable. Their bowling attack with Sadia Iqbal and Diana Baig is becoming quite formidable. Looking forward to exciting India-Pakistan matches in future ICC events!
K
Karthik V
While appreciating PCB's move, I feel the pay gap between men's and women's cricket is still huge across all boards. Hope the ICC standardizes minimum contracts soon. Quality cricket shouldn't depend on gender!

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