Nearly two months after the end of their previous central contracts, the Pakistan players and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) are close to signing off on fresh contracts. There is optimism that all players will sign them this week and, if not, almost certainly before the Asia Cup starts on August 30 after a number of key objections were effectively addressed.
After pushback from players, the PCB has softened on that position. ESPNcricinfo understands all centrally contracted players will be allowed a maximum of two leagues aside from the PSL, contingent on international requirements. There is also greater permissiveness for players without central contracts; they can theoretically participate in as many leagues as they are drafted in as long as they can obtain NOCs from their domestic sides. One source familiar with the negotiations told ESPNcricinfo they wished to follow a “common sense approach with a view not to prevent players from earning”.
Other issues have proved more intractable, one of the reasons contract negotiations have been stretched out and agreement delayed for so long. A source at the PCB privately acknowledged that the turmoil at board level had unsettled players and undermined players’ confidence in the board, as well as the ability to negotiate in a functional and effective manner.
The last three months have seen caretaker PCB chairman Najam Sethi depart in contentious fashion, with Zaka Ashraf replacing him. Zakir Khan was removed as Head of International Cricket, with the PSL head Usman Wahla returning to the role. During this time, several senior players have been dispersed across the cricketing world, making direct discussions difficult. However, all senior players are now in Sri Lanka ahead of the three-match series against Afghanistan, with Wahla joining them ahead of the series to finalise agreements.
ESPNcricinfo understands the PCB is reluctant to go public with its revenue-sharing model – that is, how much money they set aside from revenue earned over a year to share with players – but is open to finding other ways to further financially compensate players. Both parties privately acknowledge that the issue of image rights will be kicked into the long grass once more, but it is expected that increases in retainers and match fees will appease players enough to sign their central contracts.
Should pen be put to paper this week, it would put an end to a significant distraction ahead of a busy time for Pakistan cricket. The ODI series against Afghanistan will be followed up by the Asia Cup, and then the World Cup in India, before the year is rounded out by a three-match Test series against Australia.
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