The Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Zaka Ashraf has decided to add 2 new players to the list of 25 players on Central Contract.
Zaka Ashraf, Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee, has announced that players consistently representing Pakistan in a specific format are included in the central contracts roster.
A total of 25 cricketers will be able to receive this contract which includes a share of ICC revenue. However, Test Spinners Abrar Ahmed and Nauman Ali were not on the list. Former Pakistan Cricket Captain Sarfaraz Ahmed who won the Champions Trophy 2017 for Pakistan is also present in category D.
In response to concerns raised about the absence of Nauman and Abrar from the central contracts, Zaka Ashraf said that:
“I became aware that a few players not included, and they expressed their grievances. He went on to underscore, “If there is any perceived injustice towards Sarfaraz or any other player, it will be addressed and rectified.”
Players and PCB agree on a 3-year contract with ICC revenue share before the event. Additionally, In this deal, red-ball and white-ball contracts are added.
Furthermore, The list of players is categorized into four groups, with substantial increases in their monthly retainers. The ICC revenue integrated into their overall monthly remuneration as follows:
- Category A (3 players): 202% increase
- Category B (6 players): 144% increase
- Category C (2 players): 135% increase
- Category D (14 players): 127% increase
Here is the list of players and their respective categories for the contracts:
Category A: Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi
Category B: Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, and Shadab Khan
Category C: Imad Wasim and Abdullah Shafique
Category D: Fahim Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Ihsanullah, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Wasim Jr., Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, Shahnawaz Dahani, Shan Masood, Usama Mir, and Zaman Khan
However, Match fees will increase by 50% for Test matches, 25% for ODIs, and 12.5% for T20Is.
Last, The previous central contract cycle concluded on June 30, and the new contract will officially take effect on July 1, 2023.
