PCB reduces number of Pakistan players in central contracts

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has zeroed in on reducing the number of players who are set to get the central contracts later this month. Back in August 2018, the cricket board had given 12-months contracts to 33 players in various categories. Among them, only 10 to 12 cricketers have gone on and donned the national jersey. The number will be reduced to around 15 or 20 this time around.

Recently, the PCB, headed by Ehsan Mani, previously brought down the number of national women’s players as well. The number was reduced from 15 to 10, but their match fees and monthly salaries got increased. A PCB source, privy to the development, put forth the names of few cricketers, who didn’t get a whole lot of opportunities to represent the national team.

“For example, batsmen Saad Ali, Rahat Ali Rumman Raees, Sahabzada Farhan, Umaid Asif, Talat Hussain, Mir Hamza and Usman Salahuddin hardly played a few games here and there for the national team in different formats,” the source was quoted as saying in Sportstar.

Central contracts for players should be performance-based

The source also mentioned that although the number of players will get reduced, the monthly retainers will be increased. “The idea is that central contracts should be given as incentives to players and should be performance-based contracts,” the source added.

The official said that the PCB was planning to give domestic central contracts to players who will be picked for the provincial teams for first-class cricket and also play other formats for their regional teams. The source made it clear that those with central contracts can play for their provinces in domestic cricket, but won’t get domestic contracts.

“Each province will have 34 contracted players and if you take the monthly retainer, match fees, win bonuses into account a top player should earn an annual income of around 2 to 2.5 million rupees from just playing in domestic cricket. Initially, the PCB plans to directly select the provincial squads and also provide funds for domestic cricket before they become self-sufficient,” the source stated.

The PCB has made an announcement that it is revamping the domestic structure from the upcoming season, with only six provinces to compete in first-class tournaments. Departments and institutions won’t have any role to play in domestic cricket.