LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to unveil its new central contracts, with significant changes expected across categories of players.
According to media reports, fast bowler Naseem Shah is set for promotion to a Category A contract, reflecting his rising status and performance. On the contrary, Shadab Khan, who has struggled to maintain his form, may face a downgrade.
The PCB held extensive consultations with the selectors and coaching staff, including Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie. These discussions emphasized performance and eligibility as critical criteria for contract renewal.
Despite the potential cut for some players, the PCB has assured that salaries will remain unchanged.
Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Rizwan currently have Category A contracts. Sources suggest that Naseem Shah will join this elite group, marking a major step in his career.
However, Mohammad Nawaz and Imad Wasim may struggle to retain their positions in the central contract list.
In a strategic move, the PCB recently refrained from issuing No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to cricketers of all formats for participation in various leagues. Initially, there were plans to downgrade the players after the T20 World Cup.
However, advice from head whiteball coach Gary Kirsten led to a rethink, particularly for players across all formats.
Openers Imam-ul-Haq and Fakhar Zaman are expected to retain their B-category status thanks to their roles in the two formats.
Similarly, red-ball captain Shan Masood is likely to remain in Category B. The most significant changes are expected in Category D, where both the category itself and the number of players included may be reduced.
