PCB to continue with contracts

Pakistan has decided to continue with the system of awarding central contracts to its players but those with fitness or bowling action problems will be given short-term deals.

"Players who have been unfit or under scrutiny for suspect bowling actions would have their contracts reviewed after six months," said Abbas Zaidi, director of operations for the Pakistan Cricket Board.

Fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar, Muhammad Sami, Shabbir Ahmed and Umar Gul have all faced fitness problems in recent times while Shabbir was reported for a third time for a suspect action after the first test against West Indies in Barbados last month.

Shoaib, Sami and Gul were not considered for the West Indies tour because of fitness problems.

Zaidi said that the board would award fresh contracts from July 10 but the names of the players would be finalised shortly.

Pakistan introduced central contracts for its players on the basis of seniority and performances last December with Shoaib and Sami being included in the list of 17 players who were awarded these contracts.

But Shoaib has not played since January while Sami was also ruled out due to a heel injury during the one-day series in India in April.