LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to name five additional players in the men’s central contracts list bringing the total number of players offered contracts to 30.
The three-year contracts deal announced last month, will run from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2026. The previous 25-man list of players was finalized by the Najam Sethi-led management committee but the new management committee under its chairman Zaka Ashraf has decided to review the list. The new inductions include: Abrar Ahmed (Category-C), Noman Ali (Category-C), Tayyab Tahir (Category-D), Aamir Jamal (Category-D) and Arshad Iqbal (Category-D).
Sarfaraz Ahmed, former captain, was previously named in Category-D but has been elevated to Category-B. He is presently Pakistan’s first-choice wicket-keeper batter in the red-ball format. He made his comeback to the Test side in December last year and has amassed 367 runs across four matches at an average of 61.16. The 36-year-old was named player of the series for his three half-centuries and one century in four innings against New Zealand at home.
Abrar and Noman, placed in Category-C, have been regular Pakistan’s Test team members over the past year. Mystery spinner Abrar has picked up 38 wickets in six matches since making his debut against England in Multan while left-arm spinner Noman has taken 17 wickets in four games over the last 12 months.
