Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was founded two years later, from 1947 to 1949, after Pakistan’s independence. This organisation controls all decisions related to official cricket in Pakistan and hence is the governing body for cricket in Pakistan.  

Pakistan Cricket Board is responsible for every feed related to cricket which includes, promotion, organization, and regulation of the same. PCB manages both domestic as well as international cricket in the country. Pakistan Cricket Board was included and became a member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 1952, after which Pakistan was also allowed to participate in International Cricket matches.  

Key Functions Of PCB 

As we have already informed you, in Pakistan the governing body that is responsible for every minute of the biggest thing related to cricket is none other than the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). So given below are a few key functions assigned to PCB – 

Domestic and International Cricket –  

Pakistan Cricket Board is responsible for the organization of domestic cricket tournaments like the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Pakistan Super League (PSL), and others. The role of organizing these tournaments includes scheduling, hosting, managing, and selecting players as well. This involves both men’s and women’s cricket teams.  

Player Contracts and Development –  

The role of PCB also includes maintaining the official documentation of the players and having proper contracts with them to ensure their financial maintenance so that they are financially supported by the board, here the development of the player is also overseen by the board.  

Cricket Infrastructure –  

This field includes the role of ensuring the development and maintenance of cricket facilities, which involves cricket equipment, stadiums, and centers across Pakistan. PCB manages and facilitates the iconic stadiums of Pakistan like National Stadium in Karachi and Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.   

Cricket Governance and Rules – 

As a member of International Cricket Council, the Pakistan Cricket Board has to take responsibility for maintaining the proper governance and each and every rule made by the ICC. This has to be followed by the players and team without any kind of disobedience as well as corruption.  

PCB to downsize list of centrally contracted cricketers  

We have already discussed the role of PCB in both domestic Cricket as well as International Cricket. It has to maintain the level of cricket in every aspect as per the rules set by the International Cricket Council (ICC).  

For the previous year, PCB has had 27 contracted players. But this time it might be a little tougher for the players as the Pakistan Cricket Board has decided to cut down a few players from the list. This selection will be based on the physical conditions of the players.  

The list will be prepared with the help of coaches, Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie from White and Red Ball respectively as well as the captain of the Pakistan team Shan Masood. The players have been going through physical tests and also performance tests in cricket, on the basis of which this list of selected players will be created.  

The players who will not fulfill the criteria of physical fitness as well as the performance in their matches will be taken down from the list. The coaches have been paying serious attention and force to the physical fitness of the players. As per the coaches, the players will be demoted as well as promoted on the list depending on their physical fitness.  

It is said by one of the sources from PCB that “There is a lot of work going on finalizing the list of players who will get these lucrative contracts but the announcement will be made before the team leaves so that they are not distracted during the test series against England,” also “You can expect demotions of players, promotions of a few and the addition and exclusion of some players in the new list,”  

Star players like Babar Azam, Muhammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi will be retained in the team. Not only this these few star players will be provided with some promotions and benefits but we might see a few demotions leading to the players being cut from the list.  

The player who might be leading to demotion and end up losing the contract from the PCB could be Muhammad Nawaz, Imad Wasim, Sarfaraz Ihsanullah, Shahnawaz Dahani, Hasan Ali, and a few more might be added in the list.  

The board members and coaches decided to shorten the list of players and select the fittest players due to the declining performances of the players leading to defeat. The team members are not performing well in both domestic as well as international cricket. Hence the need to reconstruct and strengthen the team seems to be necessary.  

As for the contract that is made between the players and the PCB is made for the period between July to July of next year. Last year was a delay in the contract period due to a few topics between players and the Pakistan Cricket Board.  

The delay in the contract was fulfilled and continued again with a few improvements which included a 3 percent stake share to the players. With this, the PCB agreed to provide a 50% increment in test cricket, 25% in ODIs, and 12.5% in T20 internationals. 

As per the sources, the new list of the selected members with their promoted and agreed contracts might be announced soon. This might happen prior to Pakistan’s upcoming tours like the ones in Australia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. You might expect the related announcement by the end of October, which is also the approaching date of their international tours.  

This decision of the coaches, captain, and PCB comes in order to have a strong team with a broad vision and competitive spirit within the players. The decision might show its effect in the upcoming matches of the team which are international cricket tours in Australia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. 

FAQs  

Ques – Why is Shaheen Shah Afridi not playing? 

Ans – Shaheen Afridi is not playing due to his family and strategic reasons. 

Ques – Who is the coach of PCB? 

Ans – Jason Gillespie is the red ball and Gary Kristen is the white ball coach of PCB.  

Ques – Who is the new selector of PCB? 

Ans – Wahab Riaz is the new chief selector from PCB.  

Ques -Who is the PCB CEO? 

Ans – Faizal Hasnain is the CEO of PCB.