Ramiz Raja questions PCB’s decision not to award Hasnain central contract

As Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Thursday its latest award of central contracts, former captain-turned-cricket commentator Ramiz Raja has questioned the exclusion of fast bowler Mohammad Hasnain from the contract list.

“Pakistan has decided that it wants to move in a new direction based on the performance of some young players, but if we talk about young players then I am surprised that Mohammad Hasnain didn’t get the contract because he was part of Pakistan’s World Cup squad,” said the former captain in a video message.

The former captain said that the young speedster who is capable of bowling over 150kph has got the potential and is part of Pakistan’s future programs. “I still believe that Hasnain should become the 20^th player to be awarded the central contract.”

Talking about the players who were demoted in the latest contracts, Raja said that these players need to work really hard now as the PCB has rung the ‘alarm bells.’ Fast bowler Mohammad Amir and opening batsman Fakhar Zaman, who were in categories A and B respectively in the previous contracts, have both been demoted to the C category.

The PCB awarded central contracts to 19 players for the 2019-20 season, during which the men’s cricket team will play six World Test Championship Tests, three ODIs and nine T20Is.

The PCB have cut the contracts from 33 to 19 players, with skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed, Yasir Shah and batting superstar Babar Azam awarded the Category A contract. Whereas veteran cricketers Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik have not been offered central contracts, however, the board said that the players will remain available for selection.