Pakistan’s players, (L-R) Shaheen Shah Afridi, Babar Azam, and Muhammad Rizwan, return to their positions on the field during the ICC Men’s Twenty20 World Cup 2022 match between India and Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on October 23, 2022. | Photo Credit: AFP
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially released its revised central contracts for the men’s national cricket team, nearly four months overdue. Notable changes have been made, including the retention of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan in the top category, while Shan Masood’s contract status hangs in the balance following his recent captaincy.
In a press release, the PCB confirmed that Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan remain the only players in Category A, despite Babar’s struggles in recent matches. Babar missed the last two Test matches against England, during which he faced significant criticism for his form. Conversely, Shan Masood, who recently led the Test side to victory against England, retains his spot in Category B, albeit “subject to captaincy,” raising questions about his long-term future in that role.
Fakhar Zaman has been notably omitted from the list, marking the first time in eight years he has not received a central contract. The decision follows concerns regarding his fitness and a strained relationship with the PCB, exacerbated by a recent tweet criticizing the board’s decision to drop Babar Azam. This tweet has reportedly led to legal discussions, further complicating his standing with the board.
In addition to Fakhar, Imam-ul-Haq also finds himself without a central contract this year. The overall landscape of contracts has seen a contraction, with only five players in the A and B categories compared to eleven the previous year. New entrants Sajid Khan and Noman Ali have made their way into Category C after impressive performances against England, while several others, including Khurram Shahzad and Mohammad Ali, received their first central contracts in Category D.
The PCB has maintained its previous structure of central contracts, which were established last year to provide players with higher pay and a fixed share of revenue from the PCB’s earnings at the ICC. The contracts will be backdated to cover the period starting July 1, 2024, and will remain effective for another year, with the possibility of further revisions.
