Former captain Nida Dar and Aliya Riaz have been omitted from the new batch of PCB central contracts announced on Saturday. Sixteen players were announced in the new contracts, and Fatima Sana, who replaced Dar as captain, was promoted to Category A.
Dar was in Category A in last year’s contracts, while Riaz had been demoted to Category B, although his omissions are not entirely unexpected. As well as his decline in form, it is believed there were concerns about his attitude within the team set-up which were discussed with the PCB hierarchy.
Eyman Fatima, Anoosha Nasir, Sidra Nawaz and Shawaal Zulfiqar also lose contracts this season, while Bismah Maroof’s retirement earlier this year means he no longer features. The board said, “These players will remain available for selection, as the PCB shifts its focus towards developing the next generation of cricketers in alignment with the ICC Women’s FTP (Future Tours Programme) for 2025.” -29″.
Last year, twenty players were awarded two-year contracts, with a significant salary increase, but with the condition that their performances would be re-evaluated after one year.
Sana’s promotion is a reward for a series of outstanding performances in the run-up to and during the T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates. Pakistan beat Sri Lanka in the tournament, but lost their other three group matches to India, Australia and eventual champions New Zealand.
Muneeba Ali, the wicketkeeper-batsman, has also been promoted to Category A, joining Sidra Amin, who retains her position. Gull Feroza and Rameen Shamim return to the central contracts list for the first time since 2018 and 2022-23 respectively, while Tasmia Rubab is included for the first time.
The contracts have been pending approval for some time, having expired at the end of July. Players, however, will be paid retroactive amounts thereafter. The delay in contracts is part of a general trend of turmoil and uncertainty in Pakistan women’s cricket, where the PCB has struggled to get projects off the ground. The most notable of these is the long-promised women’s PSL, which Ramiz Raja first promised as president almost three years ago, but which has yet to materialise. Tania Mallick, director of women’s cricket since October 2021, told Pak Gazette earlier this year that she hoped a women’s PSL would take place in the next 12 months. However, he resigned from the position last month and there are no signs of such a tournament being introduced in the near future.
“The central contracts for 2024-25 reflect our future strategy as we prepare for the new ICC Women’s Future Tours Programme,” said PCB’s new chief operating officer Sumair Ahmad Syed. “By investing more in established players through significantly improved retainers and offering clear pathways to the emerging cricketer, we aim to strike a balance between nurturing future stars and maintaining competitiveness at the highest level.”
Pakistan Contract List:
Category A: Fatima Sana, Muneeba Ali and Sidra Amin
Category B: Nashra Sundhu and Sadia Iqbal
Category C: Diana Baig, Omaima Sohail
Category D: Ghulam Fatima, Gull Feroza, Najiha Alvi, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani
