Razzaq set to get PCB central contract

Seasoned Pakistan all-rounder Abdul Razzaq is set to get a new central contract despite being embroiled in a controversy over his appearance in the Bangladesh Premier League.

Reliable sources in the Pakistan Cricket Board told PTI today that there were slim chances of the PCB taking any disciplinary action against Razzaq over his BPL appearance.

Chief selector Mohammad Illyas had said that Razzaq had notified the selectors that he was not fit to bowl and that is why he wanted to play in the BPL instead of being considered for the national team for the ODI series against England.

But in the BPL, Razzaq has performed well as a batsman and bowler raising questions over his commitment to Pakistan cricket.

"He had informed the board is fitness was not off the standard required to play for the Pakistan team. That is why he was allowed to go and play in the BPL instead," a source said.

The source said that another reason the Board gave permission to Razzaq to play in Bangladesh was because the general opinion was that he was no longer a certain selection in the Pakistan team and his international career was more or less over.

"That is the feeling in the Board but being a senior player they don't want to cause him problems. That is why in the new central contracts list prepared by the Board, Razzaq has again been given a contract," the source said.

The source confirmed that wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal was not in the new list but Shoaib Malik had also got a lifeline.

"The announcement of the new central contracts will be made after the series against England. But one reason for the delay is that the Board has decided to revise the pay scales of the contracts and they have given this task to Intikhab Alam who is still calculating how much raises the players should get in their contracts," the source said.

He said once Intikhab finalises the pay scale, the list would be given to the Board Chairman for approval and announcement. But another source said that there were several players who have played for Pakistan and still performing well in domestic cricket who will be disappointed at not getting central contracts even in the lower category.

"Fast bowler Mohammad Sami is one such player as despite brilliant performances in domestic cricket he is not in the central contracts list," the source said. He said opener Imran Farhat was also unlikely to get a new contract.