Most cricketers sign PCB's central contract

Karachi, Apr.6 (ANI): Despite there being some 'strict' clauses in the central contract offered by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), most of the national cricketers have signed the contract.

Insiders said that some of the players had objected to some of the new clauses mentioned in the contract, but after discussions with team manager Yawar Saeed, things have been sorted out.

Earlier, Saeed held a meeting with the players, who are currently attending a preparatory camp ahead of the ICC World Twenty20 championship in Lahore, and briefed them about why the PCB has decided to introduce tough sanctions for players showing indiscipline and found to be involved in activities such as match-fixing, betting or ball-tampering.

"There were a few issues, but they have been sorted. The players have decided to sign the contracts," The News quoted sources, as saying.

While players like Afridi, Umar Gul, Danish Kaneria and Kamran Akmal have been named in the 'A' category, veteran batsman Misbah-ul-Haq, opener Imran Farhat and middle order batsman Umar Akmal have been bracketed in the 'B' category of the central contract offered to 37 cricketers.

Surprisingly, young pacer Mohammad Aamer has also been given a 'B' category contract despite performing well through out last year.

In addition to the three categories, the board has introduced a special 'stipend' category, which has been offered to top domestic and under-19 cricketers,

The contracts will be valid from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010, a statement issued by the PCB said. (ANI)