The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has delayed announcing central contracts for the 2026-27 season following the national team’s disappointing performance on its tour of England, with changes to the preliminary list of players expected.
According to sources, the contracts will cover July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027. The PCB briefed players on the process before the team departed for the West Indies and England in July and prepared a preliminary list of 30 cricketers. However, Pakistan’s poor results in England, including a whitewash, brought the process to a standstill.
Mohammad Rizwan and Shan Masood could face demotion, while officials may revise the initial list before finalizing the contracts. Further progress is expected after Pakistan’s performance during the upcoming home season.
The preliminary list was prepared using software developed by an American company that assessed players’ domestic and international performances across all formats. Selectors also used a 15-point framework to evaluate each player’s current form, previous performances, and future prospects.
Players scoring between 50 and 60 points qualify for central contracts. The proposed contract system also includes restrictions on participation in overseas leagues. Test players will not receive no-objection certificates (NOCs) for overseas leagues, although they will remain eligible for red-ball county cricket and other forms of the game.
Players in other categories will face varying restrictions, while Category C players will have greater freedom to participate in foreign leagues. Several cricketers reportedly want Category C status to pursue overseas opportunities while remaining available for Pakistan duty.
Senior-category players must meet minimum international appearance requirements and participate in domestic cricket, while Category D players are exempt from the international match requirement. The PCB has yet to announce the final categories and contracts.
Via: Express Tribune
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