Pakistan’s national cricketers’ central contracts may face a delay due to changes in the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) hierarchy. The team management and selection committee began negotiations over the central contracts earlier this month, but the process was paused due to the upcoming election of the PCB Chairman, scheduled to take place on 27th June.
Sources suggest that several changes will take place within the PCB following the appointment of the new chairman, including the possibility of policy modifications and personnel changes. It is expected that the structure of the central contracts could also be altered, and a 25% increase in retainers is being considered. The PCB may also have to decide whether to continue awarding separate contracts for white-ball and red-ball cricket.
Veteran batter Azhar Ali will no longer be included in the list of centrally-contracted players due to his retirement. Additionally, Fawad Alam, Yasir Shah, Nauman Ali, Khushdil Shah, Usman Qadir, and Zahid Mehmood are also expected to lose their contracts. However, Iftikhar Ahmed, Saim Ayub, Ihsanullah, Usama Mir, and Zaman Khan are likely to be included in the list of centrally-contracted players. Fast bowlers Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah could also be promoted.
The current central contracts are set to expire on 30th June. It remains to be seen if the PCB can finalise the contracts by then, considering the ongoing changes within the organisation. Although no official announcement has been made by the PCB, the players and fans await their decision on the central contracts.
Furthermore, the PCB may face criticism if they don’t offer contracts to deserving players. While loyal players such as Yasir Shah and Fawad Alam face disappointment, promising names such as Iftikhar Ahmed and Saim Ayub could benefit. The PCB must keep a balance between rewarding talent and experience and nurturing young talent.
In conclusion, with the elections just days away, it could take a while for the PCB to announce the updated list of centrally-contracted players due to possible changes proposed by the new head and the need for negotiations with the cricketers. The fate of the players and their fans around the world rests on the PCB’s decision.
