LAHORE: Pakistan on Monday dropped under-scrutiny former captain Shoaib Malik, wicket-keeper batsman Kamran Akmal and leg-spinner Danish Kaneria from the list of players awarded contracts.
The six-month contracts for 23 players from June to December this year, were not accompanied by pay rises.
Malik, 28, Kamran, 29 and Kaneria, 30 were not considered for central contracts because they have not been cleared of match fixing, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) director Intikhab Alam told a press conference.
“As long as Malik and Kaneria are not cleared by the PCB integrity committee they will not be considered for the contracts,” said Alam.
Malik and Kaneria have been summoned to appear before the committee. Alam said Kamran’s fitness and performance were below par. He was in ‘A’ category in the last contracts.
Veteran batsman Mohammad Yousuf, dropped from the 2011 World Cup squad for poor form, also lost out on a central contract this year.
All-rounder Shahid Afridi was also missing from the list .
Alam said players were placed in three categories based on their seniority, fitness, discipline and performance.
Captain Misbah-ul-Haq, Younis Khan, Mohammad Hafeez, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal and Adur Rehman were placed in the ‘A’ category and will receive a monthly salary of 250,000 rupees ($2,900). (Agencies)