PCB to reduce list of centrally contracted cricketers from 27 players

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Karachi, The PCB is set to reduce the number of centrally contracted players from 27 to an undisclosed smaller number for the upcoming 2024/25 season, following advice from foreign coaches Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie, along with captain Shan Masood. The announcement of the new list is expected before the national squad embarks on tours of Australia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa on October 29. An official source within the board mentioned that the focus is on finalizing the list based on recent fitness tests and player performances, with an emphasis on rewarding those who are dedicated to their fitness. It is anticipated that former captain Babar Azam, the new white-ball captain Muhammad Rizwan, and fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi will retain their spots in the top A plus category. However, there could be demotions and promotions in the other categories, leading to some players being excluded from the list altogether. Players like Muhammad Nawaz, Imad Wasim, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Ihsanullah, Shahnawaz Dahani, and Hasan Ali are at risk of losing their contracts. Last year, the delay in announcing contracts was due to negotiations between the players and the board, resulting in players receiving a stake in the shares from the ICC and increased match fees. This year, the board aims to implement a performance-related system for awarding contracts as the team's performance has been declining. Some players are reportedly concerned about the delay in contract announcements and the disbursal of monthly retainers, sponsorship fees, and ICC revenues. However, the board is working towards finalizing the list and ensuring that the players are not distracted during their upcoming series.