Anam Amin, Omaima Sohail new entrants as PCB announces 2020-21 central contracts list

The nine central contracts see an increase of 33 per cent in the monthly retainers of the Category A players, while those in Category B and C will receive 30 and 25 per cent rise, respectively. Moreover, in a continuation of last year, the players will travel in business class on all flights longer than five hours.

Separately, and as part of the PCB’s strategy to enhance the profile of women’s cricket, inspire and incentivise aspiring cricketers and bring it at par with men’s cricket, the PCB has introduced emerging contract list. The nine-player list includes 16-year-old Syeda Aroob Shah, 15-year-old Ayesha Naseem (made her Pakistan debut in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup this year), 22-year-old Muneeba Ali, Fatima Sana, Kainat Hafeez, Najiha Alvi, Rameen Shamim, Saba Nazir and Sadia Iqbal.

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In a significant boost for the domestic cricketers, the match fee and event prize money have been increased by 100 per cent, while daily allowances have been increased by 50 per cent. The PCB has also decided to retain Bismah Maroof as the captain of the side till the end of the 2020-21 season. However, the board will not renew the contract of head coach Iqbal Imam who will now resume his duties in the high-performance set-up. Iqbal’s replacement will be made through an advertisement process.

Pakistan are scheduled to feature in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier and the ACC Women’s T20 Cup in the next 12 months, while a U-19 team will feature in the inaugural ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup next year.

“The selection committee had detailed deliberations prior to announcing the central contracts. International performances over the past 12 months, fitness standards and the players’ ability to contribute in both white-ball formats were key measures that formed the criteria for the selection,” Urooj Mumtaz, the chair of the national women’s selection committee, said.

“Bismah and Javeria have been promoted to Category A, following leading performances with the bat in the last year. Over the last one year, Bismah scored 213 runs at an average of 42.60 in five ODIs and 236 at 39.33 in T20Is, while Javeria was the highest run-getter for Pakistan in T20Is with 260 runs including three half-centuries.

“Diana Baig has been promoted to Category B and she joins Aliya Riaz and Sidra Nawaz – both of whom have been retained in this category – as she topped the T20I bowling charts for Pakistan in the last 12 months. Leading the pace bowling attack she has shown tremendous improvement with control over the ball along with being an exceptional fielder,” she added.

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Mumtaz, a former captain, was also pleased with the new entrants. “I am pleased for both new entries, Omaima Sohail and Anam Amin. Omaima has been added after being a consistent member of the side in both formats while Anam has been outstanding with the ball in T20 cricket, being the highest wicket-taker in the domestic and joint-highest in the international circuit,” she said.

“I am extremely delighted to announce the emerging contract category. Nine players have been included, comprising of talented individuals who have showcased their skill on the international and domestic stage, along with those future prospects who are on the fringes of the national circuit. The addition of this category will incentivise players to remain dedicated to the game, importantly increasing the pool of players and creating a competitive environment at the junior level,” Mumtaz concluded.

Women’s central contract list 2020-21:

Category A – Bismah Maroof and Javeria Khan.

Category B - Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig and Sidra Nawaz.

Category C - Anam Amin, Nahida Khan, Nida Dar and Omaima Sohail.