Selectors not consulted over contracts

PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan announces the introduction of central contracts © AFP

The announcement that the Pakistan Cricket Board had finally introduced central contracts for its leading players was overshadowed by a revelation from Wasim Bari, the chief selector, that he had not been consulted before the list of those receiving them was announced.

"I have never been consulted by the PCB," Bari fumed. "It's only the coach, the captain and the vice-captain who were consulted. They are main players, not me or the selection committee."

Bari's assertions, made to Dawn newspaper, are at odds with comments from Shaharyar Khan, the board's chairman, who told a press conference in Karachi yesterday that Bari was one of those who had had input into those picked.

"I met [Shaharyar Khan] this morning and he told me he would be announcing the names," Bari explained. "I told him central contracts should be finalised only after the Australian tour and the criteria to select player for the contract should only be performance not seniority.

"The reason for selecting the players for the contracts after the tour of Australia was to assess the real potential of the players. Playing against the Australians will only help us analyse the real talent and strength of the players."

Shaharyar Khan admitted that the basis for inclusion was seniority, and critics argued that it was rather strange that such a major initiative was implemented without reference to the selectors.

Asked whether he would quit over the snub, Bari appeared to climb down. "It wasn't a selection matter," he said, rather confusingly. "I will not take it as a personal matter and will not quit as chief selector."