The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a series of extensive reforms aimed at revitalising cricket in the country, with a strong focus on grassroots development and enhancing player performance across all levels. These initiatives were unveiled during a meeting led by Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.
Key aspects of the reforms include upgrading high-performance centers nationwide and establishing new facilities in Islamabad and Peshawar. To oversee these expansions, the PCB has enlisted renowned coaches Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie, bringing international expertise to the development programmes.
Former Test cricketers Mohammad Yousuf and Asad Shafiq, along with current team captains, will join the selection committee. Naqvi emphasised that this move is designed to strengthen the talent scouting and selection processes for both white-ball and red-ball formats.
A notable change is the introduction of quarterly fitness assessments for all players, coupled with mandatory participation in domestic cricket leagues. The revamped one-year central contract structure will now directly link player performance and fitness to contract categorisation, ensuring a merit-based system.
Regarding player incentives, the PCB has decided to maintain the current central contract amounts but will introduce stringent guidelines for issuing No Objection Certificates (NOCs). Only players meeting rigorous fitness and performance criteria will be eligible for participation in international leagues.
In addressing concerns about discipline, the PCB has adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards indiscipline, with strict penalties for any instances of player misconduct or group behaviour that undermines team unity.
The National Cricket Academy (NCA) will also see significant changes, including the appointment of dedicated coaches for the Shaheens and Under-19 teams. Regular tournaments will be organised to nurture emerging talent, providing young players with more opportunities to showcase their skills.
Evaluations of domestic contracts will be conducted to ensure equitable opportunities across all tiers of cricketing talent. This process will be overseen by a team including Mohammad Yousuf, Asad Shafiq, Usman Wahla, and Nadeem Khan.
These reforms mark a significant shift in the PCB’s approach, aiming to create a robust and competitive cricketing environment that nurtures talent from the grassroots to the national team.