PCB likely to drop Shabbir from list of contracted players

Lahore, June 13 (UNI) With no possibility of his year-long ban being revoked any time soon, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) might drop pacer Shabbir Ahmed from the list of contracted players but is likely to retain an injured Shoaib Akhtar.

''He (Shabbir) is doubtful and might not be included in the central contracts' list. The bowler cannot play for Pakistan till the end of this year and that is a long time,'' PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan told 'The News'.

However, there is hope for Shabbir, who was banned for having an illegal action last year, as he might get a contract after his ban gets over next year but till then he might be denied all the financial incentives from the board.

Meanwhile, Shoaib, who has been ruled out of the tour of England starting later this month due to an ankle injury, will make it to the list.

''Shoaib may be injured right now but he is very much on our list for a central contract,'' Mr Shaharyar said.

''He has shown a lot of commitment and dedication in recent times and we expect him to be fit soon and join the (national) team,'' he added.

The new contracts are likely to be out within the next two days and players are all set to get a pay hike.

''The ground work has already been done and the (PCB) Ad-hoc Committee has also given it formal go-ahead recently for the new contracts to be issued,'' the PCB chief said.

''Any amount that would be saved from the deduction of players (from the central contract system) would be diverted towards a raise the players are going to get,'' he assured.

In addtion to the pay rise, individual performances will also be rewarded with cash awards.

''Players who will play important roles in the team's wins would get cash rewards,'' he revealed.

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