WEB DESK:The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a review of the central contracts for national team players in response to their disappointing performance in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024, sources revealed on Saturday.
This decision comes after the Pakistan team, known as the Green Shirts, was eliminated early from the tournament. Their exit was confirmed after a crucial match between the USA and Ireland was abandoned due to rain.
Sources indicate that players who underperformed may face demotion, and some prominent names could lose their central contracts entirely. Last year, the PCB had awarded a three-year contract to players, but recent poor performances have necessitated a reevaluation.
The national team has faced struggles in multiple series, including the Asia Cup, the T20 World Cup in India, tours of Ireland and New Zealand, and the series against Australia.
Read More: Babar’s respect would grow if he played under Shaheen’s captaincy: Shahid Afridi
Under the tenure of former PCB chief Zaka Ashraf, players had successfully negotiated a salary increase. The current central contract list for 2022-23 categorizes players into four tiers: A, B, C, and D. Top players like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi in the A category currently earn around Rs6 million per month. Players in the B category receive Rs4.1 million, while those in the C category get Rs1.75 million, and those in the D category receive Rs1.13 million per month.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and senior officials convened a late-night meeting to discuss the team’s subpar performance and the upcoming contract review. The potential reduction in salaries is expected to be a significant blow to the players, who will face substantial penalties for their lackluster performance.
