PCB still paying CC mentors

The domestic tournament was discontinued last year

KARACHI:

Despite the termination of the mentors' positions, four former cricketers are still being paid their salaries.

According to details, last year the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) appointed five former national team players — Shoaib Malik, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Misbah-ul-Haq, Waqar Younis, and Saqlain Mushtaq — as mentors for a new project, the Champions Cup.

They were each paid a monthly salary of PKR 5 million. However, in recent months, the decision was made to discontinue the Champions Cup, meaning the mentors were no longer needed. Shoaib Malik had already resigned, but the other four former cricketers continue to receive their monthly salaries.

Sources revealed that the PCB has sent termination letters to Saqlain Mushtaq and Waqar Younis. However, under their contracts, they are entitled to four months' salary, during which time the board may still assign them work.

Sarfaraz Ahmed and Misbah-ul-Haq have been retained by the board on a permanent basis, but so far, they have not been given any new responsibilities. Sources also said that there is a possibility of their monthly salaries being reduced, and they have already been verbally informed about this.

It is worth noting that all five mentors had faced continuous criticism for receiving PKR 5 million per month. Initially, the PCB waited for the mentors to resign voluntarily, but under the contract, early termination entitled them to four months' salary (PKR 20 million), so no one left their positions. Consequently, the authorities decided to terminate two of them while retaining the services of the other two permanently.

Central contracts overhaul

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to introduce major changes to the new central contracts for players, with significant reshuffling likely in Category D, sources revealed on Saturday.

According to sources, discussions over the new contracts have entered the final stages, with several players set to be dropped and a number of new players likely to be included. While some players could also be handed central contracts for the first time.

Consultations have already been held with coaches, the director of high performance, the finance department and the International cricket department.

Sources confirmed that cricketers no longer part of any of the three formats will almost certainly be excluded. Among those unlikely to cut are Aamir Jamal, Mohammad Huraira, Haseebullah, Usman Khan and Mohammad Ali.

On the other hand, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Haris, Sufyan Muqeem, Hasan Ali, Faheem Ashraf and Fakhar Zaman are expected to be awarded central contracts.

The names of Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Nawaz and Sahibzada Farhan have also been under discussion, with their inclusion a possibility.

The current three-year financial model for central contracts is now in its final year. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will announce the new contracts officially after receiving approval from PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

For the unversed, Pakistan's squad for the upcoming T20I tri-series in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the ACC Men's Asia Cup 2025 is likely to be comprised of 18 players, three more than the usual number.

According to the details, the national men's selection committee has started initial deliberation for the contingent and will now consult with T20I captain Salman Ali Agha and head coach Mike Hesson, who returned to the country earlier today after the white-ball series against West Indies.

Sources further told that after the consultation between the selection committee, captain Agha and coach Hesson, the list of shortlisted will be sent for approval from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi, with the formal announcement expected in the next two to three days.

The insiders further revealed that the Pakistan squad for the upcoming assignments may be comprised of 18 players, with emerging pacers Salman Mirza and Ahmed Daniyal likely to be called up.