PCB names Babar Azam captain of ODI team; releases list of central contracts; Amir, Wahab miss out

Babar Azam is now captain of Pakistan's ODI and T20I teams, while Azhar Ali will lead in Tests.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), on Wednesday, May 13, 2020, announced the list of centrally contracted players 2020-21 season, which will come into effect from 1 July.

The PCB also confirmed Azhar Ali as the Test captain and gave Babar Azam the reins of the ODI team as well for the period during which Pakistan is scheduled to play nine Tests, six ODIs and 20 T20Is, besides the Asia Cup and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2020.

Abid Ali, Mohammad Rizwan, Shan Masood, and Shaheen Afridi got promotions in the new list, while Iftikhar Ahmad another new face in the 18-player list. The newly constituted emerging players’ category saw the names of Haider Ali, Haris Rauf and Mohammad Hasnain.

Haider was a standout batsman for the Pakistan Emerging and U19 sides, whereas Haris and Hasnain showed their skill, prowess and utility in limited-overs cricket.

The PCB is also in process of creating enhanced domestic contracts for the 2020-21 season so that they remained valued and motivated.

In other news, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Amir and Wahab Riaz were not named in any of the list of central contracts, but will remain in contention for selection. On the other hand, Imam-Ul-Haq, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Yasir Shah have slipped down one category each.

“The philosophy and criteria for this merit-based central contract list was simple and straightforward: the selectors reviewed player performances in the past 12 months and then looked ahead to our team requirements in the forthcoming 12 months,” Pakistan men’s national team chief selector and head coach Misbah-ul-Haq said.

“I am thankful to the PCB Chairman for supporting our recommendation to give emerging player contracts to Haider, Haris, and Hasnain. This is part of our forward-looking strategy and investing in the future, while also encouraging potential future national team players. I am sure this will motivate a number of youngsters in the 2020-21 domestic cricket to perform up to the expected level and earn such incentives,” he further added.

On leaving out Amir, Wahab and Hasan off the list, Misbah said, “The selectors have made the tough decisions to leave out Amir, Hasan and Wahab but considering Hasan missed most of the season due to an injury and Amir and Wahab decided to focus on white-ball cricket, this was the right move.”

He also congratulated young Naseem and Shaheen for their entry into the central list and mentioned, “I am delighted for Naseem and Shaheen who have been well-rewarded for their outstanding performances. The two teenagers are the future of Pakistan cricket and I have no doubts that if they remain fit and stay focused, they will dominate world cricket for a long time.”

In the forthcoming season, Pakistan is scheduled to play two T20Is in Ireland (July), three Tests and three T20Is in England (July-September), three ODIs and three T20Is in South Africa (October), three ODIs and three T20Is at home against Zimbabwe (November), two tests and three T20Is in New Zealand (December), two Tests and three T20Is at home against South Africa (January 2021) and two Tests and three T20Is in Zimbabwe (April 2021).

PCB Men’s Central Contract List for 2020-21:

Category A: Azhar Ali, Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi

Category B: Abid Ali, Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail, Abbas, Rizwan, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Shan Masood, Yasir Shah

Category C: Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Imam-Ul-Haq, Naseem Shah, Usman Shinwari

Emerging - Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain

(pcb.com.pk inputs)