 "Pakistan cricketers vent frustration on private chats, feel disrespected as PCB removes top category from contracts list: Report")
Senior members of the Pakistan cricket team have reportedly expressed shock at the removal of Category A from the central contracts list by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) from 1 July this year. While the Mohsin Naqvi-led PCB has increased the number of contracted players to 30 from 27 in the previous year’s list, which includes 12 new additions, the fact that they have decided to get rid of the top bracket altogether has raised eyebrows.
Batting star Babar Azam, who was Pakistan’s leader across formats not too long ago, and current ODI skipper Mohammad Rizwan were the only players in Category A previously. Both Babar and Rizwan have since been demoted to Category B , where they join senior pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi, T20I captain Salman Ali Agha among others.
Pakistan seniors vent frustration in private chats, smell favouritism
According to a report on Cricket Pakistan, senior players were not only stunned by the development and were left displeased, but they also felt disrespected by the gesture. The report adds that the seniors vented their frustration with one another on private chats, with some even considering the option of rejecting the contracts altogether. A player can play for Pakistan without a central contract.
The players, additionally, were made aware of the development on Monday by an official from the board, but were not offered an explanation for the PCB’s decision to remove the top bracket entirely.
Additionally, there have also been speculations of some players getting promoted or included in the contracts list under the influence of selector and former head coach Aqib Javed, as well as current white-ball coach Mike Hesson.
The board, however, firmly denies reports of favouritism, with sources claiming that “100% merit was followed, and as players’ performances improve, their contract categories will also improve accordingly.”
Impact Shorts
More ShortsThe Pakistan cricket team also finds itself facing heavy criticism after suffering a first ODI series defeat at the hands of the West Indies in 34 years, with a 202-run thrashing last week. Their inconsistency across formats has led to concerns over their performance at next month’s Asia Cup in the UAE, where they have been grouped alongside arch-rivals India .
Babar and Rizwan, once integral to the Pakistan XI across formats, have also been overlooked for the Asia Cup in addition to their demotion in the PCB’s contracts list.
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