LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced sweeping reforms to its player selection and central contracts system, shifting to a model driven primarily by performance data and objective metrics.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said on Monday that 85% of a player’s central contract evaluation would be based on performance, while the selection committee’s input would account for the remaining 15%.
Speaking to reporters in Lahore, Naqvi said the board was reducing human intervention in the selection process and introducing a modern database system to improve transparency and merit.
He said medical fitness would become a mandatory requirement for central contracts. Domestic cricket participation and performance would also serve as key selection criteria.
Naqvi said the PCB was implementing an advanced data management system in domestic cricket to build comprehensive performance profiles for players.
PCB Director of High Performance Aqib Javed said the new framework aims to strengthen transparency, merit, and accountability across Pakistan cricket.
He said the board would introduce separate central contract categories for Test, One-Day International, and Twenty20 players. The move aims to provide a clearer development pathway in each format.
Javed said player evaluations would rely on international-standard performance data rather than solely on runs scored or wickets taken.
He said the system would place greater emphasis on match-winning contributions and overall impact on games.
According to Javed, the PCB has already implemented a data-based selection model in domestic cricket. The system uses performance metrics and algorithms to identify players from district to regional levels.
He said internal contracts are also being awarded through the same database-driven process.
The new framework reduces the influence of recommendations, groupings, and personal preferences, Javed added. He said every player’s selection would depend on recorded performance and measurable output.
PCB officials said the reforms establish uniform and transparent standards for players, coaches, and administrators. They said the changes would help strengthen professionalism and promote a merit-based culture within Pakistan cricket.
