Are you satisfied with PCB's central contracts list?

[A.A.Z]

Seniors who aren't even playing all formats have been rewarded with Category A contracts.

Some supposedly 'big' name players have been kept in the lower categories.

Certain players have been excluded altogether.

A certain suspended player has been included while others have not.

 

[DRsohail]

hassan ali deserves category b...and hafeez deserves C...shan rahat should not have been there,,hussain atalt deserves it....a rare good decisonto not give it to umra akmal......

 

[ask_analyse_act]

hassan ali deserves category b

...and hafeez deserves C...shan rahat should not have been there,,hussain atalt deserves it....a rare good decisonto not give it to umra akmal......

he is in "B"... take a look again...

Sami aslam, shadab, fakhar, junaid, abbas will jump one spot up soon from C to B...

Rumman Asghar Faheem and Amin if given chance will jump one spot up soon from D to C...

Shehzad might soon go down to D...

 

[saeed5646]

i am pretty much happy to get rid of some of the useless players but their are some shocking decisions also

Shan masood doesn,t deserves C category he is just their due to his dad influence

Asad shafiq is one format player who is performing nothing from last two years in test yet he gets B category

ahmed shehzad have been terrible since comeback yet he is promoted from D to C category

Wahab raiz and Rahat ali doesn,t deserves a central contract both are finished

 

[Billy1999]

Hafeez deserves a B atleast and Babar,Hassan can move up that list

One thing I'm happy about is The PCB are trying out youngster in C and D

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Somewhat satisfied.There are some shockers,like Masood and Shafiq.

But overall,not that bad.

 

[Blitz]

It's not really a question for yes/no.

No one will be 100% happy, because its still has a lot of improvements needed.

But lets be honest, its as good as its looked since I've seen these things posted. So overall, its ok.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Hafeez with an A contract. How can I be not satisfied? Very well deserved.

 

[Monsee]

I wish they had left out Wahab, Ahmed Shehzad, Hafeed and even Shan Masood (let him work on his technique with his famiuly money), I would be over the moon! Those 4 spots could have gone to deserving youngsters instead!

Leaving Umar Akmal and not seeing Sohail Tanvir made my day though

 

[abughio]

35 names and you can name only few which are controversial.

Good job.

Please note that:"The Central Contracts were awarded after keeping in mind the performances, fitness, and discipline of the players"

 

[Pete Rose]

I am not happy to see Inam ul Haq's name there.

 

[rajulakhpati]

Seniors who aren't even playing all formats have been rewarded with Category A contracts.

Some supposedly 'big' name players have been kept in the lower categories.

Certain players have been excluded altogether.

A certain suspended player has been included while others have not.

Hafeez and Malik getting A category contracts is basically the PCB saying that those two are in the team's plans going forward. I hope this doesn't mean that they'll play till the 2019 WC This will not only hold our team back from taking the next step, but will also hold back the growth of our youngsters.

 

[kaifmazhar]

Hafeez and Malik in B
Shafiq, Shehzad in D
Wahab, Rahat, Shan should have been completely ousted.

Rest all looks good

 

[Markhor]

Its rather bloated. Don't see the point of Cat D contracts for players, some of whom have never played a single international.

Surprised Hafeez and Malik have Cat A contracts given they don't play Tests, whilst Shehzad, Wahab, Rahat and Masood are all lucky to be on any form of contract.

 

[msb314]

Why is Babar Azam not given a category A central contract?

What type of message does this send?

We have a world class young batsman who averages more than Kohli, Amla and even ABD at a SR of 90 and plays in all formats yet that is still not enough for the PCB whom put him in a Category B contract below the likes Hafeez and Malik who both play in only 2 formats and are not event he best players in the team anymore. They should be in Category B at best..

And why is Yasir in a category A? He plays only Tests and is declining as well.

Seems random to me...

 

[QalandarFan]

Just my assumption but, probably because he is still very young and at the start of his career. Giving him the B contract gives him something to work for and will motivate him even more to get to that A contract.

 

[msb314]

I am not happy to see Inam ul Haq's name there.

why not?

 

[CadPakFan]

I feel it's because he didn't do much in the CT but yet again he is a young player and people can't have too many expectations on him in his first ICC tournament. But then again you have players like Shoaib Malik who had a even worse tournament but still got picked and as you said the declining Yasir Shah.

 

[MMHS]

It's quite good actually. They have brought 35 players under some sort of financial security, which should allow these players to focus on their game. Roughly, PCB is paying almost 200mn per year just for central contract. On a larger base, but lower in unit, BCB has over 100 players under central contract through the regional teams, which doesn't pay Shakib, Tamim ... in millions, but it ensures at least 100 cricketers are assured of a decent amount per month.

In ideal case scenario, 75% of those 35 should have been under or around 25, so that the bench is strong but that won't happen over night. There are few undeserving players, but overall the list is good & the category as well. Central contract isn't that big an amount - match fee of a single Test or even an ODI actually pays more than a month's wage; therefore players like Hasan or Shadab will earn lot more than Yasir, Ahmed, Wahab or even MoHa, Malik from match fees. Thus, the better players, players playing in multiple formats will take more to home combined fee & wage. The target for central contract isn't to carry coal to Newcastle, rather expand the base so that the lowest tier can keep surviving. In that regard, AUS's payment structure was best, which paid a significant amount even to Shield players as well.

MoHa, Malik is enjoying the benefit of a policy, which is fine - every PAK Captain, even for one match should be in Category A, that's a status co. This actually tells PCB that, don't make PAK armband cheap - if this was the policy 20 years back, at any given time, 7/8 players would have been in Category A, for being present or former Captain - a number, that would have required Aussies to cover 50+ years in that qualififier. Would have loved to see a retainer class, which covers top 20-25, U23 players with a small amount, but at least a little financial security & encouragement.

 

[Rayyman]

Mostly.

Wahab doesn't deserve to be in any team. He is done in all formats.

Rahat is talented, no doubt; But he has no line and length. And as a 28 year old fast bowler, I don't see him improving and having any future with the team. Yet he is being payed as much as Shadab, Abbas and Junaid!?! Of course Rahat is trash in LOIs. In Tests, Mir Hamza is a better option. Rahat doesn't deserve a contract, but Mickey loves him so..

Shan Masood constantly fails with the bat. Pretty good fielder, but that alone shouldn't get him in the team. Why is he on the same level as Fakhar?!? He doesn't deserve a contract of any sort. We all know why he is on this list though..

Sohail is a good bowler, but too old with barely any present let alone future. I'm fine with giving him a contract for money, but shouldn't be a C. Should be D.

The less said about Bilal Asif and Asif Zakir, the better.

 

[proud_pakistani]

I think we can never agree 100% but its still a pretty good pool of players.

 

[Pete Rose]

why not?

What role is he supposed to play? for the test team?
in terms of priority we still need someone to partner with fakhar zaman up top and i dont trust hafeez/malik's form.
i would rather have put sahibzada farhan there.

 

[The Googly]

Shan Masood!! A disgrace giving him a contract. Disgusting nepotism.

Hassan Ali should be A. Why is Hafeez A and Hassan B??? Lol
Crazy decision.

Shezad - kick him out.
Fawad Alam should be C.

 

[Mainul]

Not at all.

Where is Fawad?

Why Masood,Wahab,Shehzad?

 

[The Googly]

Sorry - Malik also should be C and phased out. The A contracts are based on seniority not necessarily talent which is crazy.

 

[kaifmazhar]

What type of message does this send?

We have a world class young batsman who averages more than Kohli, Amla and even ABD at a SR of 90 and plays in all formats yet that is still not enough for the PCB whom put him in a Category B contract below the likes Hafeez and Malik who both play in only 2 formats and are not event he best players in the team anymore. They should be in Category B at best..

And why is Yasir in a category A? He plays only Tests and is declining as well.

Seems random to me...

Yasir declining? Are you serious or do you watch any cricket? 25 wickets in 3 tests and getting Man of series award as a touring team in just the last series he played and that means declining??

 

[saifi]

Why is hafeez given A.He is 60% of the time injured and even is not in T20 11(also in which basis he came in T2011 he had a below ordinary PSL).He is a opener why he is playing in middle order and His performance has been below average there.He shouldnt be selected in no format.
malik deserves it he has been good Last year and helps every youngster.performed good everywhere whenever he got the chance
Hassan and babar shd be awarded A

 

[msb314]

What role is he supposed to play? for the test team?
in terms of priority we still need someone to partner with fakhar zaman up top and i dont trust hafeez/malik's form.
i would rather have put sahibzada farhan there.

Deserves a chance just like anyone.

 

[Pete Rose]

Deserves a chance just like anyone.

no. that's socialism.
chance deserved is driven by requirement: requirement is not another 70 strike rate player for limited overs cricket.

 

[Little Master]

I am surprised that no one has commented on Inzi using his influence to award his nephew a central contract.

 

[Abdullah719]

no. that's socialism.
chance deserved is driven by requirement: requirement is not another 70 strike rate player for limited overs cricket.

Why do you think he's in contention for limited-overs selection?

 

[Abdullah719]

I am surprised that no one has commented on Inzi using his influence to award his nephew a central contract.

Yes, Inzi has everything to do with it, not the fact that he was the highest run-scoring opener and third-highest in the list of scorers overall in last season's QeA.

 

[MMHS]

Yes, Inzi has everything to do with it, not the fact that he was the highest run-scoring opener and third-highest in the list of scorers overall in last season's QeA.

And, being invested for 4/5 years at Junior level. I think, he is 2nd in order now, after Sami for 2nd opener's spot in Test.

 

[usisadd]

Why Abdul Rehman Muzammil is not in the list. He was the 5th highest scorer of Quaid-a-Azam Trophy this year and 7th highest scorer in one day cup 2015/2016

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/quaid...ost_runs_career.html?id=11463;type=tournament

http://www.pcb.com.pk/averages-repo...by=total_runs&sort_order=desc&match_type_id=4

 

[Pete Rose]

Why do you think he's in contention for limited-overs selection?

I don't. I made the point earlier in the thread that the more burning urgency is to find another dynamic player in the limited overs side in the top4. It's more urgent than trying out talent for the test squad

 

[Abdullah719]

I don't. I made the point earlier in the thread that the more burning urgency is to find another dynamic player in the limited overs side in the top4. It's more urgent than trying out talent for the test squad

I agree but Sahibzada Farhan is not going to earn a central contract after one or two good tournaments. Imam has been invested in for a much longer period of time.

Anyway, hopefully Farhan keeps up the good performances and is selected for the LOI squads soon.

 

[Abdullah719]

And, being invested for 4/5 years at Junior level. I think, he is 2nd in order now, after Sami for 2nd opener's spot in Test.

He should be but I am unsure about the order with Shehzad and Shan in the mix...

 

[MMHS]

He should be but I am unsure about the order with Shehzad and Shan in the mix...

Shan in the slippery character here. This guy is just not good enough, but he is educated & has the off field backing - and, he actually could figure out what Arthur (or previously Misbah) likes. I think, he might not get in to starting XI, but Arthur will pick him in squad - one reason being proper communication. After Misbah, MoHa, Malik & may be Wahab gone, I am sure Arthur would feel lonely in that dressing room - unless he learns Urdu. This guy Shan Masood is too committed & hard working to miss out every penny, because he won't be ever considered for LO squad, might not be PSL as well; but one thinks, D category should have served the purpose.

Any clue on match fee? More than amount, I am interested in the payment policy - it should cover squad rotational policy.

That's if a player is rested on purpose, he should get at least 75% match fee, if not full. Otherwise, key players would get upset, if they are rested for the 5th ODI after 4-0 (or 0-4), or not considered for a T20 series against ZIMBoks. And, there is always a chance of players keep playing hiding injury. This is one reason, PCB kept playing available best XI, even for that rain affected 3rd ODI against Zimboks at Lahore, after series was decided after 2nd match.

For example, Amir is in Cat A, means he is going to be paid about 600K/Test, 450K/ODI & 250K/T20 - amounts are much, much, much higher in total than central contract, for a year of 10 Test, 35 ODI & 10 T20s. Ideally, he should play every match, but logically, he should play all 10 Tests, but only 25 ODI & may be 5 T20 for managing his work load (same goes for Sarfu) - unless, he is compensated for that planned rotation, he should get upset for being dropped/rested - that's a loss of amount more than his Central contract & that's not because he isn't good enough, rather to preserve him on bigger interest. Even for on field injury or fitness (that's not from drinking water), one should get some payment for every missed match, but that's not essential, as some coverage is there from central contract.

This is the AUS model (& that's why they randomly rest top players, series by series), and BCB also has a similar arrangement, but don't know about details.

 

[New Yorker]

no. that's socialism.
chance deserved is driven by requirement: requirement is not another 70 strike rate player for limited overs cricket.

You have no idea what socialism is.

The team shouldn't have any 70 SR players for limited overs cricket.

 

[msb314]

no. that's socialism.
chance deserved is driven by requirement: requirement is not another 70 strike rate player for limited overs cricket.

We won't know how good he can be until he has made his debut.

Keep in my mind Fakhar was labeled as a hack and spin bashed prior to his debut vs. SAF.

 

[mak36]

On the whole the names selected are pretty good, although there a few exceptions (Rahat Ali, Shan Masood etc) and some notable omissions (such as Tallat and Farhan). However, what is most puzzling is the categories some of the players have been put in- for example Hafeez has been put in "A" whilst Fakhar has been put in "C"- doesn't really seem to make much sense. Another example is Rumman Raees- he deserves C at the very least. Category "B" is far too small and should have included more players- eg. Fakhar Zaman.

That said, the players in the "D"category are very interesting- great to see some young players being brought into the fold which should provide them financial stability as well as a confidence boost. What has not been mentioned is that the "C" and "D" category includes most of the players who are currently taking part in the NCA Camp- such as Imam Ul Haq, Aamer Yamin, Usman Shinwari, Muhammad Rizwan, Muhammad Hassan etc. This is a positive step and should be commended. But hopefully this doesn't mean the others who have not been awarded contracts will be ignored, namely Sahibzada Farhan, Usama Mir, Ammad Butt, Hussain Tallat, Agha Salman etc.