LAHORE, Pakistan: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has awarded 12-month central contracts to 25 players for the 2024-25 international season, which went into effect on July 1, 2024. These contracts follow a structured agreement between the players and the PCB established last year, set to continue for three years.
In a bid to nurture emerging talent, the PCB introduced central contracts to five cricketers for the first time. Placed in Category D, these newcomers include Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Ali, Muhammad Irfan Khan, and Usman Khan, underscoring the board’s commitment to recognizing rising talent.
The contracts are divided into four categories
Category A features star players Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, highlighting their importance to Pakistan’s cricket setup.
Category B includes established players Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Shan Masood.
Category C comprises nine players, such as Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, and Shadab Khan.
Category D has 11 players, including Aamir Jamal, Haseebullah, Kamran Ghulam, and the five newly contracted players.
These contracts illustrate PCB’s strategic approach to strengthen its national team and create a robust pipeline for future stars. This annual review and structured contract system aim to maintain competitive standards and reward consistent performers on the national and international stages.
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