Pakistan National Cricket Team (Image Credits: Twitter)
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is meticulously reviewing and revamping the central contracts list in preparation for the forthcoming 2023-24 season. In its commitment to promoting a competitive environment, the board is reportedly considering a host of changes, including salary revisions, as it finalizes the contracts for the players.
In a historic move last year, the PCB
introduced separate contracts for red-ball and white-ball formats, recognizing
the different requirements of the game. As the current contracts are set to
expire on June 30, the PCB aims to announce the new list of contracts before
June 21.
Sources reveal that players can expect a
20% raise in their salaries under the revised contracts. The PCB will continue
to categorize the contracts as A, B, and C, while also introducing separate
emerging contracts for promising young players.
However, not all players will retain
their places in the central contracts. Azhar Ali, the veteran batter who
retired from international cricket in December, will miss out on a central
contract. Other players, including Fawad Alam, Haider Ali, Abid Ali, Yasir
Shah, Nauman Ali, Khushdil Shah, Usman Qadir, and Zahid Mehmood, are also
likely to lose their spots.
On the other hand, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan,
Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, and Fakhar Zaman are expected to retain their
respective contract categories. Additionally, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah are
likely to be promoted to higher categories. Iftikhar Ahmed, Saim Ayub,
Ihsanullah, Usama Mir, Mohammad Haris, and Zaman Khan are expected to secure
contracts for the next cycle.
Here is the breakdown of the PCB Men's
Central Contracts List for the 2022-23 season:
List of PCB Men's Central Contracts for 2022–2023
Red and White-Ball Contracts:
Category A: Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan,
Shaheen Shah Afridi
Red-Ball Category B, White-Ball Category
C: Hasan Ali
Red-Ball Category C, White-Ball Category
B: Imam-ul-Haq
Red-Ball Contracts:
Category A: Azhar Ali
Category B: Fawad Alam
Category C: Abdullah Shafique, Naseem Shah, Nauman Ali
Category D: Abid Ali, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, Shan
Masood, Yasir Shah
White-Ball Contracts:
Category A: Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan
Category B: Haris Rauf
Category C: Mohammad Nawaz
Category D: Asif Ali, Haider Ali, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Shahnawaz Dahani, Usman Qadir, Zahid Mehmood
Emerging Contracts:
Ali Usman (Southern Punjab)
Haseebullah (Balochistan)
Kamran Ghulam (KPK)
Muhammad Haris (KPK)
Muhammad Huraira (Northern)
Qasim Akram (Central Punjab)
Salman Ali Agha (Southern Punjab)
The new contracts reflect the PCB's
commitment to rewarding performance, nurturing emerging talent, and maintaining a
balanced and competitive national team. These changes aim to optimize the
team's overall performance in the upcoming Asia Cup 2023 and beyond.
The Pakistan Cricket Board is set to
make significant changes to the players' central contracts list for the 2023-24
cycle. The revamped contracts will include salary increases and separate
contracts for red-ball, white-ball, and emerging players. The objective is to
enhance player motivation, ensure financial stability, and drive the team's
success on the international stage.
FAQs
Central contracts provide financial stability and define the terms and conditions of the agreement between players and the cricket board. They ensure that players are rewarded for their performance and commitment, allowing them to focus on their game without financial uncertainties.
The PCB is making changes to optimize the team's performance and address evolving dynamics in the game. These changes include performance-based evaluation, the inclusion of emerging talent, and considering team dynamics to ensure the best possible squad composition.
Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, and Fakhar Zaman are likely to retain their respective categories in the central contracts list for the next cycle.
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