Daily Times

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday left out fast bowlers Hasan Ali, Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Amir from a list of centrally contracted players announced for the 2020-21 season. The PCB gave central contracts, which are valid from 1 July 2020 to 31 June 2021, to a total of 18 players with former skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed and leg spinner Yasir Shah demoted to the ‘B’ category. Pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi and Test captain Azhar Ali have been promoted to the ‘A’ category while teenage quick Naseem Shah and all-rounder Iftikhar Ahmed are the first-time recipients of the contracts in the category ‘C’. Naseem, 17, made major strides in international cricket over the last three months, accomplishing records for the youngest to take a Test hat-trick and the youngest fast bowler to a five-wicket haul in Tests. The category ‘A’ players will earn Rs 1.1 million per month, the category ‘B’ will fetch the players Rs 750,000/- and the category ‘C’ will help the players earn Rs 550,000/-. Pakistan are scheduled to play nine Tests, six ODIs and 20 T20Is plus the Asia Cup and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2020 over the next 12-month period. Amir and Riaz had both retired from Tests last year citing workload management to extend their white-ball careers with Pakistan, and their T20 longevity in leagues around the world. Both were demoted to the category ‘C’ last year only to be left out from the new list this time. Over the years, the PCB has invested significantly in Hasan as he became an automatic pick across formats under previous head coach Mickey Arthur. He made a flying start to his international career after making his Test debut in 2017 until last year when he suffered a slump in form and broke down with injuries.

“Furthermore, and as part of our commitment and strategy to reward high-performing young cricketers, the PCB has created a new Emerging Players’ Category, and the initial inductees are Haider Ali and fast bowlers Haris Rauf and Mohammad Hasnain,” said a spokesman for the PCB. Haider was a standout batsman for the Pakistan Emerging and Under-19 sides, whereas Haris and Hasnain showed their skill, prowess and utility in limited overs cricket. “In addition to the three and to further recognise players who have performed excellently in the 2019-20 season and/or are in and around the Pakistan men’s national team, the PCB are in the process of creating enhanced domestic contracts for the 2020-21 season so that they remained valued and motivated,” added the spokesman.

Pakistan chief selector and head coach Misbahul Haq said: “The philosophy and criteria for this merit-based central contract list was simple and straightforward: the selectors reviewed player performances in the past 12 months and then looked ahead to our team requirements in the forthcoming 12 months. I am thankful to the PCB chairman for supporting our recommendation to give emerging player contracts to Haider, Haris and Hasnain. This is part of our forward-looking strategy and investing in the future, while also encouraging potential future national team players. I am sure this will motivate a number of youngsters in the 2020-21 domestic cricket to perform up to the expected level and earn such incentives.”

To a question, Misbah replied that the selectors had made the tough decisions to leave out Amir, Hasan and Wahab but considering Hasan missed most of the season due to an injury and Amir and Wahab decided to focus on white-ball cricket, this was the right move. However, Amir and Wahab are senior and experienced bowlers and they remain in contention as we believe they can still contribute to the Pakistan men’s cricket team and also mentor our young battery of fast bowlers.” Misbah said he was delighted for Naseem and Shaheen who had been well-rewarded for their outstanding performances. “The two teenagers are the future of Pakistan cricket and I have no doubts that if they remain fit and stay focused, they will dominate world cricket for a long time. Their elevation is also a reward for bowling coach Waqar Younis, who has been working tirelessly on them, but there is still a long way to go for the duo and they have to perform consistently at big stages before they can put their cases of classifying them in the league of bowlers such as Waqar.”

PCB Men’s Central Contract List for 2020-21:

Category A:

Azhar Ali (Central Punjab), Babar Azam (Central Punjab/Karachi Kings), Shaheen Shah Afridi (Northern/Lahore Qalandars).

Category B:

Abid Ali (Sindh/Lahore Qalandars), Asad Shafiq (Sindh/Multan Sultans), Haris Sohail (Balochistan), Mohammad Abbas (Southern Punjab), Mohammad Rizwan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa/Karachi Kings), Sarfaraz Ahmed (Sindh/Quetta Gladiators), Shadab Khan (Northern/Islamabad United), Shan Masood (Southern Punjab/Multan Sultans), Yasir Shah (Balochistan/Peshawar Zalmi).

Category C:

Fakhar Zaman (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa/Lahore Qalandars), Iftikhar Ahmed (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa/Karachi Kings), Imad Wasim (Northern/Karachi Kings), Imam-ul-Haq (Balochistan/Peshawar Zalmi), Naseem Shah (Central Punjab/Quetta Gladiators), Usman Shinwari (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa/Lahore Qalandars).

Emerging Players’ Category:

Haider Ali (Northern/Peshawar Zalmi), Haris Rauf (Northern/Lahore Qalandars), Mohammad Hasnain (Sindh/Quetta Gladiators).