PCB not to offer central contracts to Ahmed Shehzad and Umar Akmal
Fast bowler Wahab Riaz's contract also seems to be in danger.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to offer central contracts to its cricketers. The team has done reasonably well in international cricket as they won their erstwhile ODI series against Zimbabwe. Prior to that, they also won the T20I tri-nation tournament, involving Hamilton Masakadza’s men and Australia. However, their off-field developments haven’t been a smooth ride of late.
Ahmed Shehzad, their top order batsman, is in the middle of a tumultuous phase. The country’s cricketing board has decided to not provide him and Umar Akmal a contract. Fast bowler Wahab Riaz’s contract also seems to be in danger. Meanwhile, the likes of Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, and Shadab Khan may see a hike in their contracts as per reports in ARY Sports.
Shehzad and Akmal’s controversially tarnished career
As far as Shehzad’s career is concerned, he was earlier provisionally banned by PCB. The 26-year-old was tested positive for the consumption of a banned substance during the Pakistan Cup back in May. It was previously learned that the PCB wasn’t ready to take actions against Shehzad but finally changed their decision. Shehzad last played in Pakistan’s T20 series against Scotland this year.
On the other hand, Umar Akmal’s career has been marred by controversies owing to inconsistent performances and disciplinary issues. He was left out of the Test squad when Pakistan toured England back in 2016. He also lashed out at Mickey Arthur, Pakistan’s head coach, in a press conference last year and his relationship with the cricket board has only worsened.
He last played for the Lahore Qalandars in the third edition of the Pakistan Super League where he was a recipient of backlash from Brendon McCullum, the captain of the franchise. He also couldn’t perform with the willow. He made his last international appearance in an ODI against Australia at Adelaide Oval back in January 2016.
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