No central contract for underperforming players, warns PCB chief

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said on Saturday that no player failing to meet the required standards would be awarded a central contract. Speaking informally to the media at Qaddafi Stadium after visiting the ongoing red-ball camp at LCCA Ground in Lahore, Naqvi said the PCB was introducing five central contract categories — Test, ODI, T20, Emerging, and one additional category — alongside increased match fees for players. He said players must clear three criteria to qualify for a central contract: fitness, domestic cricket performance, and overall performance. Naqvi added that the services of former cricketers Younis Khan, Mohammad Hafeez, and other experienced figures were being enlisted to improve cricketing affairs. A 15-point criterion has also been developed for national team selection, he said. Domestic player fees will also be increased, the PCB chairman said, adding that all stakeholders have been invited for consultation on Monday, after which formal announcements on new policies and decisions will be made.

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