LAHORE: Pakistan men’s cricketers may refuse central contracts if they are demoted after the poor performance in T20 World Cup 2024, Geo News reported on Saturday.
As per sources, Pakistan Cricket Board is awaiting head coach Gary Kirsten's report and it will be deemed crucial for future decisions. PCB will make decisions in light of this report.
Additionally, the report from senior manager Wahab Riaz will also be reviewed before final decisions are taken. This comprehensive review process has delayed the board's announcement of any definitive actions.
One of the major considerations is the potential decision to drop certain players from the next series and make modifications to the central contracts. There is also an ongoing assessment of the expected reactions to possible demotions and removals in the central contracts.
There are concerns that some cricketers may refuse central contracts if they are demoted. This could lead to players opting to play freely without the restrictions of a central contract
Earlier, it was reported that Pakistan's white-ball skipper Babar Azam and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan are expected to be demoted from Category A in their central contracts.
Sources close to the situation disclosed that work on a new central contract for the national players is in progress.
A new, smaller selection committee will be established to finalise the central contracts.
However, the salaries of the national cricketers will remain unchanged.
Sources also said that Shan Masood is likely to be retained as the red-ball skipper for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh.
Earlier, Geo News reported that Masood, head coach Jason Gillespie, and the selection committee have begun discussions related to Pakistan’s squad for the Test series against Bangladesh.
Babar, Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi may be rested for the Test matches against Bangladesh, whereas Haris Rauf’s inclusion in the squad is not even being considered.
Sohail Imran Sohail Imran is a senior reporter for Geo News.
