PCB likely to demote non-performing 'senior' players

Lahore, Jan.30 (ANI): In view of the dismal performance of the team in Australia, specially from senior players, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is likely to relegate senior non-performing cricketers when it announces the new central contract.

The PCB's central contracts committee, which comprises Chief Operating Officer (COO) Wasim Bari and chief selector Iqbal Qasim, is likely to demote 'underperformers, specially seniors, from category 'A' to 'B' or even to 'C'.

Insiders said that the committee has rejected T20 captain Shahid Afridi's proposal to reward players better in view of the forthcoming T20 World Cup.

"The time is suitable to curb player-power and for that purpose the committee has asked the chief selector to come up with a new list for the players' central contract, prepared purely on the basis of their performance during the last year," The Dawn quoted sources, as saying.

When enquired about plans to demote players, Qasim said there would be some big changes in the team after the team returns back from Australia.

"The committee has discussed various proposals and if accepted that will force the players to keep focus on their performance. No one can defend the team's pathetic performance in Australia and obviously a major surgery is the need of the time," he said.

Qasim said he would come up with a new list of centrally contracted players on Monday (February 1), as the list he had prepared before the tour Down Under needed 'drastic changes.' (ANI)