Mohsin Naqvi makes dramatic change in PCB central contract structure: 'Players contracts would only be renewed if...'

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has overhauled the central contract structure of the team with the tier-based system set to be replaced by a format-based system. Naqvi has said that this system will rely heavily on data and will only reward players who will perform well and meet fitness standards.

Four sets, called tracks, have been created by the board with Test specialists getting placed in Track A and those who play Tests and ODIs both awarded track AB. White-ball specialists will be given track BC contracts and those who play only T20s will be handed over D contracts.

Naqvi's stern statement

Naqvi has made it clear that the decision has been taken to improve the team's performance in big tournaments.

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“It is absolutely our responsibility to improve cricket. Our cricket team’s performance is better in series, but in tournaments, our team collapses. Work is now being done on this,” he said while explaining the system in a press conference.

He also added that since the decisions will be based on data, debates around who got into which category will be over.

“Earlier, there used to be debate on central contracts over why someone got B and why someone got C,” he said. “Now, 85% of the central contract has gone into the hands of the computer.”

Naqvi also said the contracts were devised after much discussions to keep up with the demands of modern-day cricket. He said that now each player would be given a clear pathway in his category and he would know what is expected of him.

"The players contracts would only be renewed if they come up to all required performance and fitness standards," he said.

The new system will come into effect after the current cycle of contract expires at the end of this month.