Senior all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez has turned down a Category C contract offered to him by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). According to some credible sources, Hafeez isn't happy with the lowest grade of the contract.
The former T20 captain of Pakistan has been playing without a central contract since 2019 and he was offered a Category A match fee in 2020 as a special case for any game he played for the national team.
In the past one year or so, Hafeez has completely reinvented himself in the shorter format and he currently sits as the 2nd highest run-getter in the past 12 months. Hafeez, with 331 runs is only behind England's Dawid Malan (386) in terms of runs scored in T20Is.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Test Captain Mohammad Rizwan has been promoted to the top category from category B. Fawad Alam has been rewarded for his performances as well in Test matches and he has been given a category C central contract by the PCB.
Although, the domestic giant of Pakistan had an A+ category contract with his domestic side - Sindh. After a review of performances by the PCB, it was learnt that these three players were offered promotions in advance of the full list of central contracts that are scheduled to be announced later.
The contracts given to these players currently will run till the 30th of June. Rizwan and Fawad have accepted the offers but Hafeez has politely turned down the offer according to the PCB.
"The decision to promote the players was made during a meeting with the chair of the selection committee, Mohammad Wasim, while we were reviewing player performances in the 2020-21 season and discussing the upcoming commitments," Wasim Khan, the PCB CEO said.
"It was agreed during the meeting that three players were the most deserving and outstanding performers in the season to date and, as such, they needed to be rewarded now instead of waiting for the time when PCB Central Contract List for 2021-22 will be reviewed and announced.” Wasim added.
Khan also stated that he fully respects the decision of Mohammad Hafeez but he's a bit disappointed as well. He also added that Hafeez has been one of Pakistan’s top performers.
"However, Mohammad Hafeez declined the reward and, while I am disappointed, I fully respect his decision. He wants to wait for the PCB central contract 2021-22 list, which he is fully entitled to. Hafeez has been one of our star performers of the season and we hope he will carry the form and momentum to Africa. I am sure this merit and performance-based decision will once again send out a loud and clear message to all professional cricketers that the PCB will not only recognize, appreciate and acknowledge their performances and achievements but will also reward them so that they can strive to do better next time." Khan said.
Both Alam and Rizwan were on top of their performances in the last couple of tours and Rizwan has ultimately replaced Sarfraz Ahmed as the leading wicket-keeper batsman in the country.
The PCB hasn't given central contracts to Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Amir whereas Shaheen Afridi and Azhar Ali have been promoted from B to A category. The duo will join the skipper Babar Azam in the A category for PKR 1.1 million approximately.
Meanwhile, to motivate the emerging players in the country, the board has also introduced a new 'emerging category' for three young players. Haider Ali, Haris Rauf and Mohammad Hasnain have been given emerging category contract whereas the 17-year old pacer Naseem Shah has earned a maiden Category C contract.
The former T20 captain of Pakistan has been playing without a central contract since 2019 and he was offered a Category A match fee in 2020 as a special case for any game he played for the national team.
In the past one year or so, Hafeez has completely reinvented himself in the shorter format and he currently sits as the 2nd highest run-getter in the past 12 months. Hafeez, with 331 runs is only behind England's Dawid Malan (386) in terms of runs scored in T20Is.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Test Captain Mohammad Rizwan has been promoted to the top category from category B. Fawad Alam has been rewarded for his performances as well in Test matches and he has been given a category C central contract by the PCB.
Although, the domestic giant of Pakistan had an A+ category contract with his domestic side - Sindh. After a review of performances by the PCB, it was learnt that these three players were offered promotions in advance of the full list of central contracts that are scheduled to be announced later.
The contracts given to these players currently will run till the 30th of June. Rizwan and Fawad have accepted the offers but Hafeez has politely turned down the offer according to the PCB.
"The decision to promote the players was made during a meeting with the chair of the selection committee, Mohammad Wasim, while we were reviewing player performances in the 2020-21 season and discussing the upcoming commitments," Wasim Khan, the PCB CEO said.
"It was agreed during the meeting that three players were the most deserving and outstanding performers in the season to date and, as such, they needed to be rewarded now instead of waiting for the time when PCB Central Contract List for 2021-22 will be reviewed and announced.” Wasim added.
Khan also stated that he fully respects the decision of Mohammad Hafeez but he's a bit disappointed as well. He also added that Hafeez has been one of Pakistan’s top performers.
"However, Mohammad Hafeez declined the reward and, while I am disappointed, I fully respect his decision. He wants to wait for the PCB central contract 2021-22 list, which he is fully entitled to. Hafeez has been one of our star performers of the season and we hope he will carry the form and momentum to Africa. I am sure this merit and performance-based decision will once again send out a loud and clear message to all professional cricketers that the PCB will not only recognize, appreciate and acknowledge their performances and achievements but will also reward them so that they can strive to do better next time." Khan said.
Both Alam and Rizwan were on top of their performances in the last couple of tours and Rizwan has ultimately replaced Sarfraz Ahmed as the leading wicket-keeper batsman in the country.
The PCB hasn't given central contracts to Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Amir whereas Shaheen Afridi and Azhar Ali have been promoted from B to A category. The duo will join the skipper Babar Azam in the A category for PKR 1.1 million approximately.
Meanwhile, to motivate the emerging players in the country, the board has also introduced a new 'emerging category' for three young players. Haider Ali, Haris Rauf and Mohammad Hasnain have been given emerging category contract whereas the 17-year old pacer Naseem Shah has earned a maiden Category C contract.
