- PCB revealed the central contracts.
- The board has implemented distinct red-ball and white-ball contracts for the first time.
- The emerging contracts have been increased from 3 to 7.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief selector Mohammad Wasim has announced the men’s central contract lists for 2022-23, which will go into effect on July 1st. The PCB has implemented distinct red-ball and white-ball contracts for the first time, and four additional players have been added to the Emerging Category. This implies that 33 players, 13 more than the previous season, have been signed to one-year contracts.
The all-format captain of Pakistan, Babar Azam, along with Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi, have been handed contracts for both red-ball and white-ball cricket.
Azhar Ali has been elevated to Category A, Abdullah Shafique and Naseem Shah have been placed in Category C for the first time, and Saud Shakeel has been given Category D.
Fawad Alam and Nauman Ali have been retained in Categories B and C, while Abid Ali, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shan Masfad, and Yasir Shah have been awarded contracts in Category D.
Eleven limited-over specialists have been given contracts to play white-ball cricket.
Fakhar Zaman and Shadab Khan, who were in Category B in 2021-22, have been upgraded to Category A, while Haris Rauf has been demoted to Category B. Category C has been preserved for Mohammad Nawaz.
Shahnawaz Dahani and Usman Qadir have been promoted to Category D, joining first-timers Asif Ali, Haider Ali, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Wasim Jr., and Zahid Mehsud.
As part of its effort to encourage, develop, and incentivize up-and-coming domestic performances, the PCB has expanded the number of players in the Emerging Category from three to seven. Players in the Emerging Category are: Ali Usman, Haseebullah, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Huraira, Qasim Akram and Salman Ali Agha.
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PCB Chief Selector Mohammad Wasim congratulated the players, especially the young ones, who earned the central contracts.
“I want to congratulate all those who have earned central contracts for the 2022-23 season, especially our four younger players who have received red-ball contracts for the first time as part of our vision and strategy to identify, groom and develop specialists for the traditional and purist format of the game.”
He also mentioned that the board may also consider the players, who were not in the mentioned list of 33, for contracts if and when it will be required.
“I understand there will be a few disappointed players who have missed out on contracts, but I want to reiterate that we are not limiting and restricting ourselves to these 33 players. As and when required, players from outside the list will be included.
He further talked about the importance of the emerging players in the future of Pakistan cricket.
“We have also expanded our category of emerging cricketers from three to seven as it is very important for us to groom those cricketers who have potential to make it to the top level and give an incentive to those
The new central contracts include the following notable characteristics:
- 10 per cent increase in match fees across all formats.
- Increase in match fee for non-playing members from 50 per cent to 70 per cent of the overall match fee.
- Introduction of a captaincy allowance to compensate the team captain for the additional responsibilities that comes with that role.
- Allocation of an amount for current players with the aim to manage and reduce the workload of elite players and to ensure that they are fully fit, ready and fresh whenever they play for Pakistan.
Red and White-ball contracts (5):
Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi (all Category A), Hasan Ali (red-ball Category B, white-ball Category C) and Imam-ul-Haq (red-ball Category C, white-ball Category B)
Red ball contracts (10):
Category A – Azhar Ali
Category B – Fawad Alam
Category C – Abdullah Shafique, Naseem Shah and Nauman Ali
Category D – Abid Ali, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, Shan Masood and Yasir Shah
White ball contracts (11):
Category A – Fakhar Zaman and Shadab Khan
Category B – Haris Rauf
Category C – Mohammad Nawaz
Category D – Asif Ali, Haider Ali, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Shahnawaz Dahani, Usman Qadir and Zahid Mehmood
Emerging contracts (7):
Ali Usman (Southern Punjab), Haseebullah (Balochistan), Kamran Ghulam (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Haris (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Huraira (Northern), Qasim Akram (Central Punjab) and Salman Ali Agha (Southern Punjab).
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