Nineteen Pakistan women cricketers have been awarded 12-month central contracts for the first time as an acknowledgment that their game is now becoming professional.
Last year the national women's team won the Asian Games Twenty20 title and last month they finished first in a four-nation tournament in Sri Lanka which included the hosts, Ireland and the Netherlands.
The Pakistan captain Sana Mir says the introduction of contracts would encourage more women to take up cricket.
The leading women will get a retainer of about 750 dollars, compared to almost 4 thousand dollars for the top men players.
Pakistan women take part in a variety of sports but they have complained of a lack of encouragement and facilities in a socially conservative society.
