Shadab Khan and Naseem Shah
- PCB will revamp central contracts.
- Naseem Shah likely to be promoted to Cetogary A.
- Shadab Khan might be demoted.
The PCB is on the brink of announcing its updated central contracts, anticipating a reshuffle in the player categories.
Reports suggest that Naseem Shah is on the cusp of being elevated to Category A status due to his impressive performances, while Shadab Khan might see a demotion owing to form issues.
After thorough deliberations with the selection committee and coaches like Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie, the PCB has decided to prioritize performance and fitness for contract updates.
While some players might be downgraded, the PCB has confirmed that there will be no cuts to player salaries.
Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Mohammad Rizwan are the current holders of Category A contracts, and it’s expected that Naseem Shah will soon join their ranks.
On the other hand, retaining a spot on the central contract list could be challenging for Mohammad Nawaz and Imad Wasim.
The PCB has also taken a strategic stance by not granting NOCs for all-format players to participate in leagues, a move initially considered post-T20 World Cup. However, Gary Kirsten’s counsel has led to a reevaluation, especially for cricketers playing across formats.
Imam-ul-Haq and Fakhar Zaman are likely to maintain their Category B contracts due to their involvement in two formats, as is red-ball captain Shan Masood. The most notable alterations are expected in Category D, which might see a reduction in both the category and the number of players.
