PCB awards central contracts to 35 players for 2017-2018

[A.A.Z]

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announces the award of its Players Central Contracts for the year 2017-18 (July 1, 2017- June 30th 2018) to 35 players in four categories.

The Central Contracts were awarded after keeping in mind the performances, fitness, and discipline of the players. A number of young players have been awarded Central Contracts this year keeping in mind that the National Teams in all formats will be going through a transitionary period after a number of retirements from last year’s Central Contract List.

As per the three year understanding reached with Players and the PCB Management the monthly retainers for all categories are increased by 10%.

The Central Contracts Selection Committee comprising Director Cricket Operations, Chairman National Selection Committee, and Pakistan Team Head Coach have recommended and Chairman PCB has approved the following names for the 2017- 2018 Central Contract Term:

Category A	Category B	Category C	Category D
1. Azhar Ali	7. Babar Azam	11. Wahab Riaz	22. Mohammad Nawaz
2. Shoaib Malik	8. Imad Wasim	12. Rahat Ali	23. Asif Zakir
3. Sarfraz Ahmed	9. Asad Shafiq	13. Haris Sohail	24. Usman Salahuddin
4. Yasir Shah	10. Hasan Ali	14. Sami Aslam	25. Aamer Yamin
5. Mohammad Hafeez		15. Shan Masood	26. Usman Shinwari
6. Mohammad Amir		16. Sohail Khan	27. Faheem Ashraf
		17. Fakhar Zaman	28. Rumman Raees
		18. Junaid Khan	29. Imam-ul-Haq
		19. Ahmed Shehzad	30. Bilal Asif
		20. Mohammad Abbas	31. Mir Hamza
		21. Shadab Khan	32. Umar Amin
			33. Mohammad Hasan
			34. Mohammad Asghar
			35. Mohammad Rizwan

[Shafi]

How on earth Wahab, Rahat, Shan, Shehzad and Zakir got any contract? Waste of money by PCB

[ExpressPacer]

Fakhar Zaman needs to be in the 'B' category. Appalling that Shehzad and Shan Masood are still there. Hafeez needs to be demoted to the 'C' category. Not only does he not deserve the 'A' spot, but also the fact that he has a lot of money anyway. I'm pleasantly surprised Akmal's have been excluded.

[Mir jibran]

@A.A.Z so whats their monthly salary and match fees ?

[b.lesner]

how did imam ul haq get in there

[saeed5646]

Comparing the 2016 contract to this year it is 80 % change

2016 (A category), Azhar Ali, , Muhammad Hafeez .Misbah ul Haq, Younis Khan, Shoaib Malik, Misbah

2017(A category),Azhar ali,Muhammad Hafeez,Sarfraz ahmed,Yasir Shah ,M.Amir ,Shoaib malik

2016(B category) Wahab Riaz, Rahat Ali, Asad Shafiq and Muhammad Amir.

2017(B category) Babar azam,Imad wasim,Asad shafiq,Hasan ali

2016(C category), Hariis Sohail, Muhammad Rizwan, Imran Khan Sr, Shan Masood, Muhammad Irfan, Sami Aslam, Babar Azam, Imad Waseem, Hassan Ali, Khalid Latif, Sharjeel Khan, Muhammad Nawaz, Sohail Khan, Sohail Tanvir.

2017(C category)Wahab Riaz, Rahat Ali, Haris Sohail, Sami Aslam, Shan Masood, Sohail Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Junaid Khan, Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Abbas and Shadab Khan.

2016(D category)Anwar Ali, Zulfiqar Babar, Muhammad Asghar, Ahmad Shahzad, Umer Akmal

2017(d category) Mohammad Nawaz, Asif Zakir, Usman Salahuddin, Aamer Yamin, Usman Shinwari, Fahim Ashraf, Rumman Raees, Imam-ul-Haq, Bilal Asif, Mir Hamza, Umar Amin, Mohammad Hassan, Mohammad Asghar and Mohammad Irfan.

[saeed5646]

Shan masood have played 3 to 4 test from 2016 to this point and have miserably failed yet he retained the

c category of 2016

[Ahson8]

A bit surprising to see Hussain Talat ignored when Mohammad Hasan & ImamUlHaq have been given contracts.

[Slog]

Why is Shafiq in B category?

He has done jack all year and plays just one format

[NoBallZombie]

So many things to not like about these contracts. Wahab and shehzad still in the list means they are undoubtedly going to make a come back again. Why is Fakhar and Shadab in C? The pcb should support upcoming players rather thn the oldies who have already earned more thn their fair share anyways.

Umar Akmal is going to be back next year in the mix.... mark my words

[NoBallZombie]

How on earth Wahab, Rahat, Shan, Shehzad and Zakir got any contract? Waste of money by PCB

Real waste. They could have spread this money out for the betterment of cricket somewhere rather thn flushing it down for these cricketers.

[DRsohail]

hafeez category A ...MY GOD!..this guy is sucking pcb and junior rights..and shahzad?????? the rest is good ..

[WhenSultansBowled]

So many things to not like about these contracts. Wahab and shehzad still in the list means they are undoubtedly going to make a come back again. Why is Fakhar and Shadab in C? The pcb should support upcoming players rather thn the oldies who have already earned more thn their fair share anyways.

Umar Akmal is going to be back next year in the mix.... mark my words

If he is fit and performs. He is welcome.

[WhenSultansBowled]

Would've loved to see Hasan Ali in A category.

[MMHS]

hafeez category A ...MY GOD!..this guy is sucking pcb and junior rights..and shahzad?????? the rest is good ..

As it looks, all present or former Captains are by default in Cat A. Amir & Yasir deserves A.

More or less fine list, including Ahmed & Wahab. Probably, Masood in C is the biggest surprise.

[DRsohail]

As it looks, all present or former Captains are by default in Cat A. Amir & Yasir deserves A.

More or less fine list, including Ahmed & Wahab. Probably, Masood in C is the biggest surprise.

how can someone justify hafeez in category A????? and babr azam in B??????and asif zakir is not good choice but i will not mind him when he is not selected for national duty....

[saeed5646]

Why is Shafiq in B category?

He has done jack all year and plays just one format

look at his performances in last two year in test even then he did not deserves B

[Markhor]

A bloated list. Why is there a Cat D ? Some of those players have never played an international.

Masood, Rahat, Wahab and Shehzad should not be on any contract.

[Shaka81]

Considering some of the players who have made the list, it's quite concerning that Fawad Alam didn't even make the D list. Guess there is zero chance of ever getting a recall even with Younis Khan and Misbah retiring.

[abughio]

This list is good work from PCB. much appreciated.

if they are going to announce 35 names. it is quite reasonable to have few controversial names.

[Billy1999]

How on earth Wahab, Rahat, Shan, Shehzad and Zakir got any contract? Waste of money by PCB

It's mainly Wahab and Shan

Rahat and Ahmed are still useful due to there ages

Shan is a waste of time

[super hitter]

Like are they even taking the past years performances into notice? Mr.Hafeez gets an A yet again

[Mir jibran]

The PCB has not disclosed those as yet. As soon as the numbers are released we will post them here.

what was their previous salary ?

[imshally81]

Why M Hafeez in A & Rizwan again

[hadi123]

Sohail Khan is there. Maybe his career isn't over after all

[Pete Rose]

Malik with A?....ok

[Yatoo]

Shadab deserves B

[BDwarriors]

Junaid khan on C! Weird. Should be on B. Umar akmal must be in C or D. Hafiz on B.

[SarfiBabarHaris]

List shows that Haris is in their plans of test team and future. A glimmer of hope.

[Mirpur express]

Absolutely disgusting the way Fawad Alam has been treated.. glad to see umar akmal out don't wana see him around & the quicker we get rid if showzad the better

[kamz]

Fakhar Zaman needs to be in the 'B' category. Appalling that Shehzad and Shan Masood are still there. Hafeez needs to be demoted to the 'C' category. Not only does he not deserve the 'A' spot, but also the fact that he has a lot of money anyway. I'm pleasantly surprised Akmal's have been excluded.

how can Zaman be on a category B. He just made his debut like a month and half ago. I think he has been well rewarded and compensated for his ICC performance, but on a basic permanent salary, he is rightfully in Category C.

And unfair that you demote Hafeez, because he has alot of money. The chap has represented pakistan over a fair few seasons, plus involved in all 3 formats. Yes like Ahmed Shehzad and Wahab Riaz, had a serious loss form and played only 1 or two formats at most. Then yes, luckily he performed in T20s, been average in tests he played the last time (prior to his ban) and similalry in ODIs. Yes granted he didnt perform in the first matches of CT, but bef compared to Shehzad and Wahab, he hasnt been out of form for a considerable period of time

[ExpressPacer]

how can Zaman be on a category B. He just made his debut like a month and half ago. I think he has been well rewarded and compensated for his ICC performance, but on a basic permanent salary, he is rightfully in Category C.

And unfair that you demote Hafeez, because he has alot of money. The chap has represented pakistan over a fair few seasons, plus involved in all 3 formats. Yes like Ahmed Shehzad and Wahab Riaz, had a serious loss form and played only 1 or two formats at most. Then yes, luckily he performed in T20s, been average in tests he played the last time (prior to his ban) and similalry in ODIs. Yes granted he didnt perform in the first matches of CT, but bef compared to Shehzad and Wahab, he hasnt been out of form for a considerable period of time

I didn't know your contracts were based on how "experienced" you were instead of how well you performed, and as far as performances go, Fakhar Zaman is at the top.

As for Have, I understand your point of view but his performances have not been enough for me. I loved that innings in the final but just isn't good enough to be in the team let alone have an A contract.

[Syed1]

Is nobody else going to mention the fact the Professor Hafeez managed to snag an A contract while the real heroes of Pakistan cricket such as Babar and Hasan are given a B contract and Shadab Khan is given a C contract.

[coy0607]

Is nobody else going to mention the fact the Professor Hafeez managed to snag an A contract while the real heroes of Pakistan cricket such as Babar and Hasan are given a B contract and Shadab Khan is given a C contract.

This is Pakistan, seniority culture thrives

[Syed1]

Just saw, the last air bender, Rahat Ali is put in the C category. That is a huge disrespect to the man of his quality, he deserves an A+ contract at the very least for his services to the country and humanity at large.

[samiakh]

People like Asif Zakir, Usman Salahuddin, Imam ul Has and Umar Amin above Fawad Alam on what basis? Merit counts for little in Pak cricket.

[Cricfan#1]

Unfair to continuously exclude Fawad Alam.

Need to plan and offer more to M. Irfan.

[Plumb]

Deserves A+ no doubt. Keeping himself away from the team, I count it as a huge contribution

[Billy1999]

how did imam ul haq get in there

Why have you even asked this question

He has averaged over 40 last season,that too on wet pitches opening the innings

[Billy1999]

People like Asif Zakir, Usman Salahuddin, Imam ul Has and Umar Amin above Fawad Alam on what basis? Merit counts for little in Pak cricket.

Why do you like fawad alam so much,He has been given a few chances(Bangladesh,Windies Tour game)

I love inzis selection policy,He selects players on performances from the domestic season

Fawad hardly made any runs so he didn't get mentioned

Asif Zakir,Usman,Imam these guys made tons of runs last season

[Billy1999]

Is nobody else going to mention the fact the Professor Hafeez managed to snag an A contract while the real heroes of Pakistan cricket such as Babar and Hasan are given a B contract and Shadab Khan is given a C contract.

On the same page as u buddy

[Sirris]

No contract for Umar Akmal. Good decision.

[Sirris]

Is nobody else going to mention the fact the Professor Hafeez managed to snag an A contract while the real heroes of Pakistan cricket such as Babar and Hasan are given a B contract and Shadab Khan is given a C contract.

Give and take, that how it goes.

[Hasan123]

Hasan Ali should have been given an A contract.

[moghul]

how did imam ul haq get in there

Thanks to uncle.

[Abdullah719]

Thanks to uncle.

Obviously being the third highest run-scorer in the last domestic tournament has nothing to do with it...

It looks like PCB is trying to award the best performers from the last QeA trophy (who can be considered for selection going forward, explaining K Akmal's exclusion).

[cricketAXEpert]

look at his performances in last two year in test even then he did not deserves B

Averges 30.88 in last 15 test matches?? poor performance

[cricketAXEpert]

Imad Wasim Category B, some Much better players are in category C

[Titan24]

People like Asif Zakir, Usman Salahuddin, Imam ul Has and Umar Amin above Fawad Alam on what basis? Merit counts for little in Pak cricket.

Fawad can be selected for tests. I belive in the eye to see talent rather than stats.

We would never have seen Shadab Khan or Hassan Ali in the team if the merit would have bee defined by stats. Max we would have seen them in T20s only as they performed well in PSL.

You need to find players who can improve and have talent, a bowler averaging 35 in first class currently but has the potential to become a under 27 average bowler is better to me than the one who currently averages 30 and thats his max potential. You need players who show potential to become world class players.

Yes Fawad averages above 55 i guess in first class and might get a nod for tests.
Asif Zakir is supposed to be a good striker of the ball which we lack in Lois, Usman, Imam and Umar are young and talented while Fawad doesnt have age on his side and its not like he is definitely going to play tests let alone Lois.

Yes I agree that he was hard done earlier in his career but than I didnt see any improvement in his Limited overs game in this PSL while Umar Amin has deceloped a range of new strokes suited to the modern cricket era and looks a different player now just like how Sharjeel looked in PSL one after working on his off side game.

[Titan24]

By PSL for Fawad I meant Pakistan cup 2017

[Rayyman]

Aside from Wahab, Rahat, Shan, Sohail, Bilal and Zakir, that's a pretty good list.

I somewhat agree with 83% of the names there.

[sali]

This is a very short A & B list. Fawad Alam, Umer Akmal and Sharjeel should have been in A contract by now based on their talent. What a waste of talent!

[Saqib]

Asad Shafiq should have been in the A, he is on the reason recent success in the Test cricket, he is playing for Pakistan for some time now (56 test matches) 31 years of age.

He has a better record than Hafeez/Malik I know he did not had the best year but still it's reasonable he is a senior now with Misbah and Younis have gone PCB should back him up.

For the rest it's a decent setup it's really good to see PCB have made progress in this regards.

[MenInG]

Fawad Alam - guess no international cricket for Fawad so understandable

[Amirforpresident]

Asad Shafiq should have been in the A, he is on the reason recent success in the Test cricket, he is playing for Pakistan for some time now (56 test matches) 31 years of age.

He has a better record than Hafeez/Malik I know he did not had the best year but still it's reasonable he is a senior now with Misbah and Younis have gone PCB should back him up.
.

Ben je serieus? Lol the guy is a mental midget. Have you fortgot his pairs of ducks het got last year?

[Saqib]

Ben je serieus? Lol the guy is a mental midget. Have you fortgot his pairs of ducks het got last year?

Yes I am, every cricketer goes trough a diffecult patch, his place in the side is now more important than ever because of Misbah / Younis have retired. Strongly believe he should have been in the A group.

[Justcrazy]

Hafeez should have another category . " Z " category . He should be joined by Shehzad and Wahab there.

[New Yorker]

Fawad can be selected for tests. I belive in the eye to see talent rather than stats.

We would never have seen Shadab Khan or Hassan Ali in the team if the merit would have bee defined by stats. Max we would have seen them in T20s only as they performed well in PSL.

You need to find players who can improve and have talent, a bowler averaging 35 in first class currently but has the potential to become a under 27 average bowler is better to me than the one who currently averages 30 and thats his max potential. You need players who show potential to become world class players.

Yes Fawad averages above 55 i guess in first class and might get a nod for tests.
Asif Zakir is supposed to be a good striker of the ball which we lack in Lois, Usman, Imam and Umar are young and talented while Fawad doesnt have age on his side and its not like he is definitely going to play tests let alone Lois.

Yes I agree that he was hard done earlier in his career but than I didnt see any improvement in his Limited overs game in this PSL while Umar Amin has deceloped a range of new strokes suited to the modern cricket era and looks a different player now just like how Sharjeel looked in PSL one after working on his off side game.

Rubbish. Hasan averages 22 in List A, and was the lead wicket taker in one of the recent domestic LOIs, Pakistan Cup if I recall, alongside Sadaf I think.

[zyrus]

Is nobody else going to mention the fact the Professor Hafeez managed to snag an A contract while the real heroes of Pakistan cricket such as Babar and Hasan are given a B contract and Shadab Khan is given a C contract.

Lemme defend. They've performed for limited time. Let them be a bit further consistent. You dont want to end up in a situation where one-time performers are in A category like Shahzad.

[sunnykhan]

Bilal Asif on what basis?

[ads101]

Fawad Alam - guess no international cricket for Fawad so understandable

Can't believe I missed that. Looks like selectors have no plan bringing him back into the test squad then unfortunately. Looking at those contract names, seems like Haris Sohail, Usman Salluhuddin and Umar Amin will be in contention to fit into the 2 spots that have just freed up in tests.

[usisadd]

where is Abdul Rehman Muzammil.