LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has announced a major overhaul of its policy to boost the performance of the national team.
Naqvi revealed that both respected coaches Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie will join the selection panel along with former Test cricketers Mohammad Yousuf and Asad Shafiq, along with current team captains from both the white-ball and red-ball formats.
Participation in domestic cricket was mandatory and the selection committee was tasked with carefully overseeing the process.
In response to concerns about player incentives, the head coach decided not to reduce central contract sums. Instead, the revamped one-year contract structure will assess players’ performance and fitness on a quarterly basis. This will determine the categorization of players within the central contractual framework.
Strict guidelines have been outlined for issuing No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to players for participating in the league. Only those who meet strict fitness and performance criteria are awarded the NOC, ensuring a high standard of representation in international leagues.
Emphasizing discipline as non-negotiable, the board has adopted a zero-tolerance policy for indiscipline. Cases of player grouping will be dealt with severely in order to maintain team unity and morale.
Plans are underway to upgrade high-performance centers nationwide to boost grassroots cricket. New centers are to be established in Islamabad and Peshawar, with Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie overseeing these initiatives.
Looking ahead, the NCA plans to appoint dedicated coaches for the Shaheens and Under-19 teams along with organizing regular tournaments to nurture new talent. Mohammad Yousuf, Asad Shafiq, Usman Wahla and Nadeem Khan have been tasked with evaluating domestic contracts and ensuring equal opportunities for all levels of cricketing talent.
