The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Tuesday announced more attractive and incentive-based 12-month central contracts to its 10 elite women cricketers. The contracts will commence from July 1. Previously, six-month contracts were signed with the players. There has been a 20 percent increase in the retainer remuneration of Category A, which includes Nida Dar and Sana Mir; 18.5 percent increase in Category B, which comprises Aliya Riaz, Bismah Maroof, Javeria Wadood, Nashra Sandhu, Sidra Ameen and Sidra Nawaz; and 18 percent increase in Category C, which contains Diana Baig and Nahida Khan. In an effort to further incentivise its cricketers and narrow the gap between men and women cricketers, the PCB has also increased the daily allowances. The revised arrangement sees an increase of 100 percent in daily allowances payable during camps in Pakistan and 50 percent rise in daily allowances whilst on foreign tours. To bring the Pakistan women’s cricket team at par with other international women sides, the PCB has also confirmed business class travel on all international flights more than five hours. Through a new initiative in order to enhance the profile of women’s domestic tournaments, the PCB has also introduced a match fee of PKR10,000 per match for all cricketers. This is expected to prove as a catalyst for the new generation of girls to take up the sport with an added opportunity to represent the country at a global stage. These major decisions have been rolled into women’s cricket either for the first time or revised after many years, and are also a recognition and appreciation of their performances this year against the West Indies and South Africa. The Pakistan women’s team are presently occupying fifth position on the ICC Women’s Championship with two rounds against India and England remaining. If they finish in the top four, they will qualify directly for the ICC Women’s World Cup 2021 to be held in New Zealand from 30 January to 20 February. Next year, the Pakistan women’s team will participate in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Australia 2020 from 21 February to 8 March. Chairperson of Pakistan women’s selection panel Urooj Mumtaz said: “The announcement of the new central contracts is a great story for the women’s game in Pakistan and indicates the exciting times that lies ahead for cricketers in the country. The women cricketers have shown tremendous improvement recently and this is reflected in the central contracts being offered to them, which are reward and incentive-based. With more international cricket scheduled over the coming months, this will motivate the girls to continue to perform strongly.” List of centrally contracted players: Category A – Nida Dar and Sana Mir Category B – Aliya Riaz, Bismah Maroof, Javeria Wadood, Nashra Sandhu, Sidra Ameen and Sidra Nawaz Category C – Diana Baig and Nahida Khan.