Afridi, Ajmal to miss out on next year's central contracts: reports

T20I captain Sarfraz Ahmed is expected to be promoted to category A

LAHORE: Former Pakistan T20I captain and all-rounder Shahid Afridi has reportedly been left out of the next year’s central contract.

According to Express News, sources confirmed that the 36-year-old along with veteran off-spinner Saeed Ajmal will not be in the list of centrally-contracted players for the next year.

Earlier reports implied that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is willing to give a farewell match to both players in the ongoing T20I series against West Indies to acknowledge their services for the country. However, after a series of controversial statements from Afridi, the decision was put on hold and no further progress has been seen in that regard.

Current T20I captain Sarfraz Ahmed, who has won all of his three matches so far as the Men in Green’s skipper in the shortest format, is expected to replace Afridi in the A category.

Fast-bowler Muhammad Amir, openers Khalid Latif, Sharjeel Khan and young all-rounders Hasan Ali, Mohammad Nawaz are expected to be included in the final list of contract players, whereas Fawad Alam, Umar Amin, Sohaib Maqsood and Haris Sohail is expected to miss out.

Sources further confirmed that an increase in the match fees is expected; however, the final decision will be taken by PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan.