The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) finds itself grappling with delays in finalizing the much-anticipated central contracts for its cricketers, owing to a recent shift in the organization’s leadership.
Earlier this month, intensive discussions regarding the central contracts transpired between the team management and selection committee. However, the looming election of the PCB Chairman on June 27 compelled them to shelve the matter temporarily.
Insiders suggest that once the new chairman assumes office, widely speculated to be the esteemed Zaka Ashraf, the PCB is poised to undergo substantial changes in personnel and policies, potentially extending to the structure of the central contracts themselves. Tentatively, an increase of 25 percent in retainers appears to be in the offing.
Whispers from these sources also intimate that the upcoming central contracts may introduce a plethora of alterations, featuring both promotions and demotions for several players. Furthermore, the PCB is presently engaged in deliberations as to whether it should persist with the current practice of awarding separate contracts for white-ball and red-ball cricket.
The imminent retirement of seasoned batsman Azhar Ali necessitates his exclusion from the forthcoming list of centrally-contracted players. Additionally, it appears that Fawad Alam, Yasir Shah, Nauman Ali, Khushdil Shah, Usman Qadir, and Zahid Mehmood might find themselves bereft of central contracts.
On the flip side, there is an air of anticipation surrounding the potential inclusion of Iftikhar Ahmed, Saim Ayub, Ihsanullah, Usama Mir, and Zaman Khan in the coveted list of centrally-contracted players.
Moreover, informed insiders have disclosed that pacers Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah are prime candidates for promotion when the revised roster of centrally-contracted players is eventually unveiled.
It is noteworthy that the current central contracts for cricketers are set to expire on June 30, adding a sense of urgency to the deliberations within the PCB.
