Head coaches to be part of Men’s selection committee; No cut in players’ central contracts: says PCB

LAHORE, Jul 15 :The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday took key decisions including a review of player central contracts on a yearly basis, inclusion of head coaches on the Men’s selection committee, making domestic cricket participation compulsory for national team selection, compulsory players’ fitness test every three months and grant of No Objection Certificate (NOC) for foreign leagues through technical method.

The decisions were taken during a meeting at the Board Room of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) Gaddafi Stadium with Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi in the chair and are aimed at strengthening cricket structure in the country besides enhancing performance of the Men in Green.

Among other decisions, the meeting adopted zero tolerance policy on indiscipline and infighting within the Men’s team, upgradation of High-Performance center and setting up of new centers in Peshawar and Islamabad, appointment of separate coaches for U-19 and Shaheens teams, conduct of new domestic tournaments, and development of women cricket and review of central contracts.

The meeting decided against revising players’ central contracts in view of poor show and early exit at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 but decided to revise the category after yearly performance and fitness review. A technical method for issuing No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for playing in leagues will be established, and players meeting the criteria will be granted NOCs.

Head Coaches Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie have been inducted into the national Men’s selection committee while they have been tasked on presenting a final report for setting up new High-Performance Centers in Islamabad and Peshawar.

Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi expressed full confidence in Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie, granting them complete autonomy and expecting excellent results from them.

Each player will undergo a fitness test every three months while participation in domestic cricket has been made compulsory as the selection committee will finalize criterion with respect to participation in domestic cricket.

Players who meet the standards of fitness and performance will be given the opportunity to progress. Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi emphasized that there will be zero tolerance for indiscipline, and any player violating discipline will face strict action. Team unity and harmony are paramount, and players engaging in infighting will not be spared. The management is instructed to take stringent action against any such behavior.

Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi has called for an upgrade plan for high-performance centers and an enhancement in the training methods of coaches.

Instructions have been issued to appoint separate coaches for the Shaheens and Under-19 teams and to develop a comprehensive program for regular tournaments. The Director of High-Performance Centres has been tasked with improving the women’s cricket team performance & skills and reviewing their central contracts. A review of men’s domestic contracts has been entrusted to Mohammad Yousuf, Asad Shafiq, Usman Wahla, and Nadeem Khan.

Chairman PCB has directed immediate action to enhance the quality of pitches and stressed the importance of investing in new talent to produce outstanding players.

The meeting was attended by White ball Head Coach Gary Kirsten, Red ball Head Coach Jason Gillespie, COO PCB Salman Naseer, Director International PCB Usman Wahla, Assistant Coach Azhar Mahmood, Selection Committee members Mohammad Yousuf, Asad Shafiq, Bilal Afzal, Director High-Performance Centres Nadeem Khan, and Director Domestic Cricket Abdullah Khurram Niazi.