Nida Dar, Aliya Riaz dropped as PCB awards central contracts to women cricketers

Fatima Sana and Muneeba Ali earn promotions to Category A for their standout performances.


News Desk November 16, 2024
Pakistan Women's Cricket Team. Photo Courtesy: PCB

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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has awarded central contracts to 16 women cricketers for the 2024-25 season, effective from July 1, 2024.

However, six players, including experienced figures such as Nida Dar, Aliya Riaz, and Shawaal Zulfiqar, have not had their contracts renewed.

These players will remain available for selection, the PCB confirmed, as it shifts its focus to fostering emerging talent in line with the ICC Women’s Future Tours Programme 2025-29.

Captain Fatima Sana and wicketkeeper-batter Muneeba Ali have been elevated to Category A, recognising their recent strong performances. Left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal also made the leap to Category B after impressing with her form in recent months.

Last year, 20 cricketers were given central contracts for two years, with the condition that their performance would be reviewed after the 2023-24 season.

The new contract list includes three fresh faces: Gull Feroza, Rameen Shamim, and Tasmia Rubab. Rubab, in particular, marks a significant achievement as she secures her first central contract. Feroza and Shamim return to the list after absences since 2018 and 2022-23, respectively.

PCB Chief Operating Officer Sumair Ahmad Syed expressed his congratulations to the promoted players, adding that the 2024-25 contracts reflect the board’s strategy of investing in established players while creating clear pathways for up-and-coming cricketers.

“Our goal is to develop a stronger, more competitive women’s team that can consistently perform at the highest level on the global stage,” Sumair Ahmad Syed said. “These contracts are designed to inspire the next generation of cricketers to dream big and push boundaries.”

The list of centrally contracted players for the 2024-25 season is as follows:

Category A: Fatima Sana, Muneeba Ali, Sidra Amin
Category B: Nashra Sundhu, Sadia Iqbal
Category C: Diana Baig, Omaima Sohail
Category D: Ghulam Fatima, Gull Feroza, Najiha Alvi, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani

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