ICC World Cup 2023: Pakistan Cricket Board Hopes for Players to Accept Central Contracts Amid Ongoing Negotiations

The Pakistani cricketers have yet to sign their new central contracts for the upcoming season, despite the fact that their previous term (2022-23 season) ended over two months ago. According to the latest reports, there is still no complete agreement on the terms of the new contracts.

Senior Pakistan cricketers have not agreed to sign new long-term central contracts with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) due to ongoing negotiations and demands, which include higher pay. The negotiations between the players and the PCB have been ongoing for a significant amount of time.

PCB Proposed Revised Structure For Central Contracts

According to reports, the PCB has reintroduced player categorization in new central contracts, with Category A including top cricketers across all three formats like skipper Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi, who could earn PKR 4.5 million monthly.

Category B will earn PKR 3 million per month, while those in Category C and D will get between PKR 0.75 and 1.5 million in the upcoming contracts. However, players are seeking higher payments, as the proposed amounts would significantly decrease after taxes and deductions.

Recent reports suggested that the contract disputes had been resolved, and it appeared that official contract announcements for next season were on the horizon. However, the emergence of a new obstacle related to commercial contracts led to a deadlock in the negotiations.

PCB Remains Hopeful On Players Accepting Central Contracts

The Cricket Board is concerned that certain players prioritize participating in franchise leagues over signing central contracts. Earlier, some players resisted signing contracts due to NOC-related issues for league participation but were eventually convinced by the PCB to do so.

The board is determined to prevent players from participating in matches without contracts. As per Cricket Pakistan’s report, PCB remains hopeful that players will eventually accept the contract terms, and negotiations are ongoing to achieve a positive outcome in this regard.

Also read: ICC World Cup 2023: Babar Azam-led Pakistan Set To Reach India For Upcoming WC On September 27 – Reports