With possible ramifications for the ability to receive NOCs, participation in local cricket, and a modification to central contracts agreed upon last year, the PCB is examining “several key changes” to the nature of international cricketers’ commitments to Pakistan cricket.
What those crucial adjustments actually include, though, is yet unknown. In a vague 500-word statement that was neither posted on the PCB’s official website or distributed via official channels, it was declared that playing domestic cricket “is now compulsory for players”. The board also declared that a “technical method” would be used to issue NOCs, and that only players who satisfied its requirements would receive NOCs. The historic three-year contracts announced last year appear to have been reversed, with the duration of central contracts now reportedly down to one year.
Nevertheless, no precise details regarding the nature and implementation date of these changes were given, even in light of their potentially extensive consequences. A representative for board chairman Mohsin Naqvi, Mohammad Rafiullah, informed ESPNcricinfo that committees would be established to iron out the details, including formulating the technical approach for the NOCs, modifying the central contract, and determining the extent to which domestic cricket international players would be obliged to play.
The formation of a committee was not mentioned in the initial statement, and it is unclear if three distinct committees would be formed to undertake different tasks or if one group will be charged with handling all three duties. Rafiullah informed ESPNcricinfo that the committees, which are still in the formation stages, would present their recommendations for execution in a span of fifteen days.
Despite earlier rumours suggesting that a reduction in player remuneration was being contemplated as a punitive measure following Pakistan’s poor T20 World Cup campaign, the statement made it clear that this would not happen. Additionally, it stated that “a defined procedure would follow the inclusion of players in various categories of the central contract,” but it did not specify what this approach would include.
Additionally, it was revealed that Gary Kirsten, the coach for white-ball, and Jason Gillespie, the head coach of tests, had been added to the selection committee. However, it is still unclear if this implies that the coaches will serve on committees pertinent to their respective formats or that they will make selection decisions for all formats.
The most contentious topic in Pakistani cricket right now is probably player NOCs, as some players believe the spirit of the deal, which permits them to play in two foreign competitions year, is not being upheld. Naseem Shah was denied a Nomination of Candidature (NOC) to play for the Hundred on a GBP 125,000 contract last week, according to ESPNcricinfo. Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi are also anticipated to have their NOCs for the Global T20 League in Canada rejected. The PCB will probably give workload management as an excuse for their rejection, even though there are no international cricket matches that conflict with either of these leagues.
Tony Hemming, an Australian pitch curator, was named head curator for a two-year term in a separate statement posted on the PCB’s official website. He joins Pakistan ahead of a demanding home season that includes the ICC Champions Trophy, a tri-series, and seven Test matches.