PCB gives contracts to 'rebel' trio

The Pakistan Cricket Board has offered central contracts to opener Imran Nazir, senior batsman Mohammad Yousuf and all-rounder Abdul Razzaq who returned to mainstream after snapping ties with the 'rebel' Indian Cricket League.

The PCB has given A category central contracts to Yousuf and Razzaq while Nazir, who was cleared recently to play for the national team again, got a C category central contract.

Nazir was pardoned by PCB chairman Ejaz Butt last week for misconduct during the final of the National Twenty20 Championship in Lahore and he can now be considered for selection for the one-day series in Sri Lanka.

The Board has also awarded a C category contract to new left-arm pacer Mohammad Aamer who has impressed since making his debut in the Twenty20 World Cup in England.

Nazir is expected to join Yousuf and Razzaq for the one-day series and the lone Twenty20 international in Sri Lanka later this month with the board chairman confirming that a new selection committee would be announced by July 21 and would be responsible for picking all national teams.