PCB announce Men's Central Contracts list for 2020-21 - New Emerging Players' category introduced

[MMHS]

Trust me few days back I was thinking the same. You wrote down a number of things that PCB need to do and most of them have came to be true.

You talked about pitches in Pakistan and that Aga guy needs to go he has been booted. You talk about making NCA a high performance centre and even though at first I thought what will this name change do but looking up the whole structure of high performance centre I got to know your point. PCB did that and they are currently hiring people for it. About domestic cricket you wrote a lot and they have changed the structure. So I see a lot of similarities and I see a lot of positive changes in PCB. Now I don’t think they have read your posts and made those changes, before someone points that out. Even though they might make a few mistakes as well but the wholesale changes and reorganising almost every other department in PCB they are on the right path.

What are your thoughts on Nadeem Khan as Director-High performance?

Every business/operation model has a Gold standard - for cricket, it was Australian system. I did study their system, and IK wants to implement something similar, therefore conceptually there has to be lots of similarities - difficult part is execution. Few years back, I had a detailed post on possible domestic reforms for PAK cricket, based on the model they use (used to, at least till 1990s) in Australia & UK - this guy WK has touched almost every bullet points of that... including the second XI games, the city/district based second tier (non FC), which is basically a cascade of the Grade cricket in Australia or the minor County in in UK.

I hope he proves me wrong, but I am not so confident about Nadeem - may be my experience/knowledge about PAK administrators is the reason, but then there is also a reason for it as well. In my memory, I think I praised three Pakistani guys in PCB over my association into 4th decade now - Gen Zia for at least trying to fix a prehistoric mad house, Shahriar Khan for his polished appearance and Arif Ali Khan Abbasi for his professionalism - he snatched that 1996 WC Final from India, which these days PCB probably would serve in plate for a little smile from them (Air Marshall Noor & AH Kardar was before my time) - rest are in between ..... you know.

I don't have much clue about Nadeem's technical qualifications - it's a role for high performance, means the guy might not be a good player or even coach, but must be well aware/experienced with the development programs, resource management, facilitation and trouble shooting - that's more education than cricket to me. HP centres are not for accommodating at an average 40-50 kids every quarter to teach them the game, rather it should work with very selective few and work on short but intensive care - on particular issues, like why Babar struggles against off-spin (or his banned cousin was a walking wicket against SLAO spin), why PAK pacers are struggling with new ball, why Yasir is losing his loop & drop ..... May be PCB should have tried someone like Peter Moores or Andy Flower; even I believe Arthur will be MUCH better Director HP Centre than the coach he was for PAK.

Any way, he is appointed and as I wrote for Misbah - hardly anything is quantum mechanics, if the guy has passion, honesty, open mind and learning appetite, he can definitely add vale. BUT, what PCB needs is at least 4 qualified coaches for batting, fielding and bowling; two for batting if possible - one will teach the batsmen, other will work on erasing the rubbish that Basit Alis & Ali Zias have taught over the years. And, most importantly, PAK cricket badly needs couple of qualified, impartial scouts/selectors/talent spotter, who has the passion to live on scouting talent 24/7, have the integrity for the task and have the balls to stand for their picks - this one definitely is not available in PAK.

 

[azimiqbal]

By the way, looking at the list of players, it's make you realise why we are struggling these days.

Saj barring from Safraz I agree with the three getting cat B , for simple reason you have to provide incentives for people playing test cricket. I personally think anyone playing test cricket should have minimum of cat B contract.

 

[Square Drive]

So why is B “understandable” for Shafiq when he only plays one format and that too he is mediocre?

Because Tests are the premium format.

Also - tbh more than anything, it's understandable because he's a senior and has been in the side for pretty much a decade now. Like Azhar, I wasn't expecting him to go anywhere or get any lower than a 'B', so realistically I can make peace with this.

If it were completely in my hands, I would've phased him out of the team time ago.

 

[Square Drive]

LOL I'm still waiting for his response to that

It's gonna be a long wait, bro

 

[chazam]

good move to give Azhar contract to tell kids where are the priorities. India pays Pujara well as he does not play leagues. But still he is respected the most. Test cricket is the premier format.
Beizzati for Amir though.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Keeping the 2023 WC - INDIA in mind need to develop good frontline and backup spinners..

Looks like they are still being happy with imad, shadab and yasir

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Good to see these from MISBAH. He should limit himself to being selector and gibe coaching to soneone experienced like Andy Flower, Mickey Arthur as they can do better in that role. Hope he understands that soon and do it save his selector job otherwise might lose both at once

 

[chacha kashmiri]

Not sure what shinwaris doing anywhere near that list
Haris sohail as a category b player is a slap in the face for Imad wasim who hasn't put a foot wrong the last 12 months and has been evergreen and ever present
Shadab khan should be category a, not sure he wasnt included

Sarfraz ahmed has been retained which is good to see
Haris rauf is about 26 not sure where he's going to emerge from
Sad to see azam khan not on the list

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Shadab Khan should be made the vice captain in LOIs.. that will help Babar, because usually a bowler would be a better captain when the team is fielding. Some teams in the past used to have such insight of having a bowling captain which will help the actual captain in many ways.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Good to see Haider Ali there. Really feel that he should be played in every format as Babar and I feel he has the technique to become the next Babar. Going into a WC with 2 or 3 reliable batsmen and bowlers like Babar And Amir will be tough for any team to beat. Remember the Aussies in the last decade with Hayden Gilly, ponting + McGrath Brett Lee and Warne dominated for like 8-10 years.

 

[shamaan]

Good to see Haider Ali there. Really feel that he should be played in every format as Babar and I feel he has the technique to become the next Babar. Going into a WC with 2 or 3 reliable batsmen and bowlers like Babar And Amir will be tough for any team to beat. Remember the Aussies in the last decade with Hayden Gilly, ponting + McGrath Brett Lee and Warne dominated for like 8-10 years.

He will be groomed in and then will play 3 formats eventually

 

[azimiqbal]

Pakistan central contracts

Quick question ? Babar Azam is paid 1.5 Lakhs as part of his centeral contract.

Is that annually or monthly ?

 

[zain7077]

Quick question ? Babar Azam is paid 1.5 Lakhs as part of his centeral contract.

Is that annually or monthly ?

Pretty sure that’s monthly.

 

[mazkhan]

Quick question ? Babar Azam is paid 1.5 Lakhs as part of his centeral contract.

Is that annually or monthly ?

I don't know if my maths is correct put is that working out less than £ 750 a month ?

An absolute insult for the premier batsmen captain in the team .

 

[Thunderbolt14]

I don't know if my maths is correct put is that working out less than £ 750 a month ?

An absolute insult for the premier batsmen captain in the team .

It’s a 15 lakh retainer, not 1.5 lakh. That’s per month so 1.8 crores per year which is very, very respectable.

He also gets match fees of 1 lakh per Test, 50,000 for ODI, and 30,000 for a T20I. This year, we are playing approximately 10 Tests, 45 T20Is (39 bilateral plus approx 6 Asia Cup), and 15 ODIs. That’s another 10 lakh, plus 13.5 lakh, plus 7.5 lakh, which adds up to 31 lakh.

From PSL, he indirectly gets another $150,000 from PCB. That is 24,000,000 rupees or 2.4 crores.

Everything combined, Babar earns 4.5 crore rupees per year as base salary, plus money from endorsements, sponsorships, and ads with various companies like Head and Shoulders, Oppo and also his endorsement with Gray Nicolls. His Gray Nicolls sponsorship alone is worth approximately £150,000 which is another 3.3 crore rupees.

Everything combined, I would guess Babar earns around 10 crore rupees per year. That may not be a large amount in US dollars but it puts him in the top 1% of our country’s elite. It’s a sad reflection on our country’s shambolic economic situation, actually.

Kohli from the IPL alone earns 37 crore PKR per year.

 

[ChTab]

It’s a 15 lakh retainer, not 1.5 lakh. That’s per month so 1.8 crores per year which is very, very respectable.

He also gets match fees of 1 lakh per Test, 50,000 for ODI, and 30,000 for a T20I. This year, we are playing approximately 10 Tests, 45 T20Is (39 bilateral plus approx 6 Asia Cup), and 15 ODIs. That’s another 10 lakh, plus 13.5 lakh, plus 7.5 lakh, which adds up to 31 lakh.

From PSL, he indirectly gets another $150,000 from PCB. That is 24,000,000 rupees or 2.4 crores.

Everything combined, Babar earns 4.5 crore rupees per year as base salary, plus money from endorsements, sponsorships, and ads with various companies like Head and Shoulders, Oppo and also his endorsement with Gray Nicolls. His Gray Nicolls sponsorship alone is worth approximately £150,000 which is another 3.3 crore rupees.

Everything combined, I would guess Babar earns around 10 crore rupees per year. That may not be a large amount in US dollars but it puts him in the top 1% of our country’s elite. It’s a sad reflection on our country’s shambolic economic situation, actually.

Kohli from the IPL alone earns 37 crore PKR per year.

Rest of your information might be correct but you're certainly wrong about match fees.
The match fees for A category players are 762,300 PKR (for Tests), 468,815 PKR (ODIs) and 338,250 (T20Is).
For B category players, the match fees are, 665,280 PKR (Tests), 390,033 PKR (ODIs) and 270,600 PKR (T20Is). For the C and emerging categories 568,260 PKR (Tests), 312,543 PKR (ODIs) and 202,950 PKR (T20Is).

https://www.crictracker.com/pcb-to-...fees-of-the-centrally-contracted-players/?amp

 

[Babbar]

Interesting. Indian players of course get more money. But important thing is the ratio between T20 vs Test payment to find where the priorities of the two boards lie.

In Pakistan, a top tier players get more than 43%( 338K in T20 vs 762K PKR for Tests) though T20 is half a day effort (may be full day in intensity) while a test is played over T20 gruelling 4-5 days.

But in India T20 match brings a player just 20% of the test match fee, which sound right.

Also match fee in India is same for all players, irrespective of the category. Only annual retainer is different. This brings better team bonding. While in Pakistan, even match fee is probably dependent on a player’s category. That’s not good for dressing room vibes.

Not just pak players but even PCB prioritises T20 over test. Why should any budding Pak player focus on tests then.

Indian cricketer fees: Match, ODI and Twenty20:-

1. Each player gets Rs. 15 lakh INR to play a Test Match

2. Each player gets Rs. 6 lakh to play an O.D.I.


3. Each player gets Rs. 3 lakhs to play a T-20 match.

 

[coy0607]

Looking back, Category B is laughable. Other than Rizwan, all of them should be Category C or below

Overall its just a sorry list of mediocre and aging players

 

[Last Monetarist]

PCB Test Cricketer of the year 2020, Mohammad Rizwan, has been promoted to Category A of the PCB’s Central Contract List 2020-21 following stellar performances across all formats in the ongoing season. In the elite category, the 28-year-old has now joined Pakistan captain Babar Azam, former captain Azhar Ali and star fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Since the current central contracts were announced on 13 May 2020, Rizwan is Pakistan’s leading run-scorer in Tests with 529 runs in seven matches at an average of 52.90, while he is overall the third leading run-scorer in T20Is with 325 runs at an average of 65 and strike-rate of just under 139. In the three ODIs against Zimbabwe, he scored 25 runs.

Behind the wickets, Rizwan has accounted for 16 batsmen in Tests, three in ODIs and eight in T20Is in the season during which Pakistan played international cricket against England, Zimbabwe, New Zealand and South Africa. Their upcoming assignments are in South Africa and Zimbabwe.

As part of its policy to acknowledge, incentivise and reward high-performing cricketers, the PCB has also elevated Fawad Alam from A+ domestic contract category to Category C of the PCB Central Contract List 2020-21, while it also offered Category C contract to T20I specialist Mohammad Hafeez, which he politely turned down.

Fawad Alam scored centuries against New Zealand and South Africa, and has now aggregated 320 runs in 11 innings of six Tests. His 102 against New Zealand in the Boxing Day Test earned him the PCB Individual Performance of 2020 award.

PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan: “I want to congratulate Rizwan and Fawad for earning well-deserved and well-earned promotions. This is a reward for their hard work and high-quality performances during the difficult and challenging bio-secure environments that tested their determination, resolve, commitment, mental toughness and physical fitness to the limits.

“The decision to promote the players was made during a meeting with the Chair of the Selection Committee, Muhammad Wasim, while we were reviewing player performances in the 2020-21 season and discussing the upcoming commitments.

“It was agreed during the meeting that three players were the most deserving and outstanding performers in the season to date and, as such, they needed to be rewarded now instead of waiting for the time when PCB Central Contract List for 2021-22 will be reviewed and announced.

“However, Mohammad Hafeez declined the reward and while I am disappointed, I fully respect his decision. He wants to wait for the PCB Central Contract 2021-22 list, which he is fully entitled to. Hafeez has been one of our star performers of the season and we hope he will carry the form and momentum to Africa.

“I am sure this merit and performance-based decision will once again send out a loud and clear message to all professional cricketers that the PCB will not only recognise, appreciate and acknowledge their performances and achievements, but will also reward them so that they can strive to do better next time.”

Updated PCB Men’s Central Contract List for 2020-21:

Category A - Azhar Ali (Central Punjab), Babar Azam (Central Punjab), Mohammad Rizwan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) and Shaheen Shah Afridi (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)

Category B - Abid Ali (Central Punjab), Asad Shafiq (Sindh), Haris Sohail (Balochistan), Mohammad Abbas (Southern Punjab), Sarfaraz Ahmed (Sindh), Shadab Khan (Northern), Shan Masood (Southern Punjab) and Yasir Shah (Balochistan)

Category C - Fakhar Zaman (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Fawad Alam (Sindh), Iftikhar Ahmed (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Imad Wasim (Northern), Imam-ul-Haq (Balochistan), Naseem Shah (Central Punjab) and Usman Shinwari (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)

Emerging Players’ Category - Haider Ali (Northern), Haris Rauf (Northern) and Mohammad Hasnain (Sindh)

 

[MenInG]

Bit embarrassing when you compare the numbers between us and India for central contracts.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Bit embarrassing when you compare the numbers between us and India for central contracts.

Not really BCCI i makes much more and is more or less the cash cow in cricket

 

[UzmanBeast]

Not really BCCI i makes much more and is more or less the cash cow in cricket

True.

However, a lot of Indian players are also easier to get ahold of for brand deals in India. You can watch any of their commercials, and in almost one or two ads you'll find an Indian player.

That isn't the case with Pakistani players, which is why they earn significantly less. If the PSL keeps improving, our players will earn more money, though I think the PCB needs to also invest money in the domestic system, especially at the grassroot level.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

True.

However, a lot of Indian players are also easier to get ahold of for brand deals in India. You can watch any of their commercials, and in almost one or two ads you'll find an Indian player.

That isn't the case with Pakistani players, which is why they earn significantly less. If the PSL keeps improving, our players will earn more money, though I think the PCB needs to also invest money in the domestic system, especially at the grassroot level.

Yep, all good points but i think Pakistan needs to start establishing itself as a force which is the main goal for me i.e. play more A tours so we don't look like dummies abroad, play English County Cricket and introduce drop in pitches in Pakistan.

Do all those things and we will be on the right track and then bigger nations will want to play us more.

 

[UzmanBeast]

Yep, all good points but i think Pakistan needs to start establishing itself as a force which is the main goal for me i.e. play more A tours so we don't look like dummies abroad, play English County Cricket and introduce drop in pitches in Pakistan.

Do all those things and we will be on the right track and then bigger nations will want to play us more.

We will also need to convincingly hammer big teams when they tour Pakistan. That way, it gives them a point to prove by inviting us.

 

[Attiq_Lone]

PCB Test Cricketer of the year 2020, Mohammad Rizwan, has been promoted to Category A of the PCB’s Central Contract List 2020-21 following stellar performances across all formats in the ongoing season. In the elite category, the 28-year-old has now joined Pakistan captain Babar Azam, former captain Azhar Ali and star fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Since the current central contracts were announced on 13 May 2020, Rizwan is Pakistan’s leading run-scorer in Tests with 529 runs in seven matches at an average of 52.90, while he is overall the third leading run-scorer in T20Is with 325 runs at an average of 65 and strike-rate of just under 139. In the three ODIs against Zimbabwe, he scored 25 runs.

Behind the wickets, Rizwan has accounted for 16 batsmen in Tests, three in ODIs and eight in T20Is in the season during which Pakistan played international cricket against England, Zimbabwe, New Zealand and South Africa. Their upcoming assignments are in South Africa and Zimbabwe.

As part of its policy to acknowledge, incentivise and reward high-performing cricketers, the PCB has also elevated Fawad Alam from A+ domestic contract category to Category C of the PCB Central Contract List 2020-21, while it also offered Category C contract to T20I specialist Mohammad Hafeez, which he politely turned down.

Fawad Alam scored centuries against New Zealand and South Africa, and has now aggregated 320 runs in 11 innings of six Tests. His 102 against New Zealand in the Boxing Day Test earned him the PCB Individual Performance of 2020 award.

PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan: “I want to congratulate Rizwan and Fawad for earning well-deserved and well-earned promotions. This is a reward for their hard work and high-quality performances during the difficult and challenging bio-secure environments that tested their determination, resolve, commitment, mental toughness and physical fitness to the limits.

“The decision to promote the players was made during a meeting with the Chair of the Selection Committee, Muhammad Wasim, while we were reviewing player performances in the 2020-21 season and discussing the upcoming commitments.

“It was agreed during the meeting that three players were the most deserving and outstanding performers in the season to date and, as such, they needed to be rewarded now instead of waiting for the time when PCB Central Contract List for 2021-22 will be reviewed and announced.

“However, Mohammad Hafeez declined the reward and while I am disappointed, I fully respect his decision. He wants to wait for the PCB Central Contract 2021-22 list, which he is fully entitled to. Hafeez has been one of our star performers of the season and we hope he will carry the form and momentum to Africa.

“I am sure this merit and performance-based decision will once again send out a loud and clear message to all professional cricketers that the PCB will not only recognise, appreciate and acknowledge their performances and achievements, but will also reward them so that they can strive to do better next time.”

Updated PCB Men’s Central Contract List for 2020-21:

Category A - Azhar Ali (Central Punjab), Babar Azam (Central Punjab), Mohammad Rizwan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) and Shaheen Shah Afridi (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)

Category B - Abid Ali (Central Punjab), Asad Shafiq (Sindh), Haris Sohail (Balochistan), Mohammad Abbas (Southern Punjab), Sarfaraz Ahmed (Sindh), Shadab Khan (Northern), Shan Masood (Southern Punjab) and Yasir Shah (Balochistan)

Category C - Fakhar Zaman (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Fawad Alam (Sindh), Iftikhar Ahmed (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Imad Wasim (Northern), Imam-ul-Haq (Balochistan), Naseem Shah (Central Punjab) and Usman Shinwari (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)

Emerging Players’ Category - Haider Ali (Northern), Haris Rauf (Northern) and Mohammad Hasnain (Sindh)

In my opinion Category B is just laughable

Players like Fakhar, Fawad, Imad, Imam, Haider and Hadnain should be in category B

and all the rest in Cat C and below. We should decrease the number of central contracted players and increase their salary to match international standards

 

[Shoaibbtt]

We will also need to convincingly hammer big teams when they tour Pakistan. That way, it gives them a point to prove by inviting us.

Not just at home but away as well especially Australia. Our local domestic boys in test cricket would hammer anyone at home.

 

[shujaatraza]

In my opinion Category B is just laughable

Players like Fakhar, Fawad, Imad, Imam, Haider and Hadnain should be in category B

and all the rest in Cat C and below. We should decrease the number of central contracted players and increase their salary to match international standards

True,almost all of them have lost their place in the side apart from Abid Ali who should have been gone as well. All the players in C category are regulars now lol.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

In my opinion Category B is just laughable

Players like Fakhar, Fawad, Imad, Imam, Haider and Hadnain should be in category B

and all the rest in Cat C and below. We should decrease the number of central contracted players and increase their salary to match international standards

The contracts are due for a review in July Wasim Khan said as that's when they due their quarterly review of the financial year i heard.

So long story short this is only temporary till July when it gets reviewed once more.

 

[UzmanBeast]

Not just at home but away as well especially Australia. Our local domestic boys in test cricket would hammer anyone at home.

Agreed.

 

[b.lesner]

Heard central contact to be given in few days

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Heard central contact to be given in few days

Hmmm I thought that wasn’t till July.

 

[shamaan]

In my opinion Category B is just laughable

Players like Fakhar, Fawad, Imad, Imam, Haider and Hadnain should be in category B

and all the rest in Cat C and below. We should decrease the number of central contracted players and increase their salary to match international standards

It's obvious they are putting more weight into tests from the categories