Announces Men's Central Contracts 2022-23 by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)

Chief Selector Mohammad Wasim announced Thursday Men's Central Contracts lists for 2022-23. These lists include both red-ball and white-ball contracts for Babar Azam, Hasan Ali, Imamul Haq, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi.

The contract will take effect on Friday, July 1.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), for the first time, has created separate red- and white-ball contracts. Four more players also add to the Emerging category. The new contracts will be available for the next twelve months to 33 players, which is 13 more than in the previous season.

Azhar Ali, Abdullah Shafique, and Naseem Shah promoting to Category A. So, Saud Shakeel has given Category D.

Fawad Ali and Nauman Ali retain in Category B, C, and D, respectively. Yasir Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmad, Shan Masood, and Abid Ali give Category D contracts.

Many have raised eyebrows at Sarfaraz Ahmed's inclusion in the central contracts. While the former skipper isn't performing, many are questioning the logic behind the move.

White-ball contracts grants to eleven limited-over specialists

Therefore, Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan, and Haris Rauf, who Category B in 2021-22 awarded Category A contracts. Mohammad Nawaz retains in Category C.

Shahnawaz Dahani and Usman Qadir were promoted from Emerging to Category C, where they are joined by first-timers Asif Ali and Haider Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Zahid Mehmood, and Khushdil Shah.

The PCB increased the number of players in the Emerging category from three to seven to help "encourage and develop" new domestic performers.

The Emerging Category players include Ali Usman and Haseebullah as well as Kamran Ghulam and Mohammad Huraira.

"Sarfaraz and Rizwan are the best red ball options"

Mohammad Wasim, who was defending his decision to award the contract to Sarfraz Ahmed, said that Mohammad Rizwan (the best wicket-keeper in Test cricket) and Sarfraz Ahmad (the best groomer) were the best.

The chief selector was asked if shorter cricketers could not play in Test. He said that it wasn't because the white ball can't play the red contract with the central contract.

The national team is home to the best players of the highest order.

So, He stated that Sajid Khan's cricket action is under review and that he hoped Yasir Shah would perform in the Sri Lanka series.

"I am aware that there will be some disappointed players who miss out on contracts. But I want to stress again that we don't limit ourselves to these 33 players. Wasim stated that players from other countries will be added as and when necessary.

"We also increased our category of emerging cricketers to seven because it is important for us to nurture those cricketers who are capable to make it to top-level and to give incentives to players who excelled in our domestic tournaments."

The salient features of the new central contracts

• So, Match fees for all formats increased by 10%
• Non-playing members will see a 50% to 70% increase in the match fee
• Therefore, To compensate team captains for additional responsibilities, a captaincy allowance was introduced
• Allocation of a sum for current players in order to manage the workload of elite players, and ensure that they are ready and fit for any game for Pakistan

Contracts for red and white balls

Men's Central Contracts include: Babar Azam (all Category A), Mohammad Rizwan (all Category C), Shaheen Shah Shah Afridi, Shaheen Shah Shah Afridi, Hasan Ali (red-ball category B, white-ball category C), and Imam-ul-Haq [red-ball Categories C, white-ball Class B]

Red ball contracts:

• Azhar Ali - Category A
• Category B - Fawad Alam
• Category C - Abdullah Shafique and Naseem Shah, Nauman Ali
• Category D - Abid Al, Sarfaraz Ahmad, Saud Shakeel Shan Masood, Yasir Shah

White-ball contracts:

• Category A - Fakhar Zman and Shadab Kan
• Category B - Haris Rau
• Category C - Mohammad Nawaz
• Category D - Asif Ali and Haider Ali, Khushdil Shah Mohammad Wasim Jr, Shahnawaz Dani, Usman Qadir, Zahid Mehmood

Emerging contracts:

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).