Pakistan Cricket Board releases player contracts for 2017-18

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has released the complete list of player contracts for 2017-18 and a total of 10% increment has been given to them in the salary. Pakistan performed exceptionally well in the recently concluded Champions Trophy 2017 where they ended as the winners. They managed to qualify for the tournament very narrowly but played a brilliant brand of cricket throughout the contest to stun critics and win the coveted silverware.

Limited-overs captain Sarfraz Ahmed, who also became the Test captain after his brilliant captaincy in the Champions Trophy, has received a Grade A contract. Former captain Azhar Ali and Shoaib Malik also come under the category of A contracts. Others on this list include Yasir Shah, Mohammed Hafeez and Mohammed Amir.

22-year-old Babar Azam, who is only the second batsman in the world to score most number of centuries in the least number of ODI matches (five centuries in 25 innings), and Hasan Ali, who was the highest wicket-taker in the Champions Trophy, have secured a B-grade contract. Others under the B list include Imad Wasim and Asad Shafiq.

A few lesser known names in C and D grades

As for C grade, a total of 11 players have been given this contract. Fakhar Zaman, who emerged as Pakistan batting line-up’s mainstay in the Champions Trophy, which was also his first international tournament, has been given a C grade contract. Among others on this list are Wahab Riaz, Rahat Ali, Haris Sohail, Sami Aslam, Shan Masood, Sohail Khan, Junaid Khan, Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Abbas and Shadab Khan. The remaining 14 players were given the D grade contract.

“As per the understanding by players and the PCB, the monthly retainers for all categories are increased by 10%,” said the PCB.

Here is the complete list

Grade A: Sarfraz Ahmed, Azhar Ali, Shoaib Malik, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Hafeez and Mohammad Amir.

Grade B: Babar Azam, Imad Wasim, Asad Shafiq and Hasan Ali.

Grade C: Wahab Riaz, Rahat Ali, Haris Sohail, Sami Aslam, Shan Masood, Sohail Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Junaid Khan, Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Abbas and Shadab Khan.

Grade D: Mohammad Nawaz, Asif Zakir, Usman Salahuddin, Aamer Yamin, Usman Shinwari, Fahim Ashraf, Rumman Raees, Imam-ul-Haq, Bilal Asif, Mir Hamza, Umar Amin, Mohammad Hassan, Mohammad Asghar and Mohammad Irfan.

Six players have been included in category A, four in category B, 11 in category C and 14 in category D.

Salaries details

Category A: Rs 650,000

Category B: Rs 450,000

Category C: Rs 260,000

Category D: Rs 179,000