Afridi, who announced his international return after Ijaz Butt’s three-year tenure as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman ended, received an instant recall as the UAE-bound squad was announced.
However, the all-rounder, who was a regular beneficiary of the Category A central contract before being removed from the list following his conditional retirement announcement, will be issued a new one only after impressing the selectors, according to the PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf.
“We’ll have to see his performance in the One-Day International (ODI) series,” Ashraf told The Express Tribune. “The selectors will be reviewing that when Pakistan play Sri Lanka.”
Meanwhile, a selector said that performance remained the sole criterion for choosing players for the central contracts.
“There are no more automatic central contracts for players,” said the selector. “There is stiff competition because the new players are showing promise and performing well.
“There aren’t many slots in comparison to the pool of available players so everyone will have to show their worth and earn a contract.”
Malik to also ‘earn’ contract
On the other hand, the five-match ODI series against Sri Lanka starting on November 11 will also be crucial to another former captain Shoaib Malik.
The all-rounder, who is also awaiting the issuance of his central contract, made a comeback to the Pakistan team on the Zimbabwe tour where the tourists completed a whitewash.
However, while Pakistan won every match, Malik failed to impress the selectors after a below-par performance and his show will also be under scrutiny during the ODI series against Sri Lanka.
“Malik is the other player to be closely monitored. He might get chances in the ODI series where his performance will come under scanner.”
Published in The Express Tribune, November 7th, 2011.
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