Former Pakistan fast bowler Sikandar Bakht has slammed the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) decision to award pacer Haris Rauf with a central contract.
Rauf, who had earlier refused to tour Australia earlier this year for a Test series, for which he was contract was terminated. However, since then it has been reinstated because of which he was able to take part in the T20 World Cup 2024.
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What did Sikandar Bakht say about Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf's central contract?
Former Pakistan international Bakht was speaking on the Geo News network when the discussion propped up about the Pakistan's recent performance in Test cricket and updates regarding PCB's new central contract. However, he chose to single out one player - fast bowler, Rauf.
"I am shocked that Haris Rauf has been given a central contract by the PCB when the player has rejected playing Test cricket for the country," he said.
"You can give central contract but make sure it is only 10% of the current amount because he does not play the real format of the game and only bowl 4 overs in a game (T20s)," he added.
Bakht questioned if Pakistan players these days take pride in representing the country, saying that the rise of T20 leagues has prompted them to lose focus on their commitment to the national team.
He added that non-performing players should not be given the NOC approval to participate in foreign T20 leagues.
"Why did PCB give NOC to such players, do they deserve it? Why did you give NOC to them when they are performing poorly for Pakistan? You shouldn't have given the approval."
"These players don't care about performing well for Pakistan and you have given NOC to all of them. How will they care now, they will not be worried about their place in the team. You need to create a system with accountability."
"Now these players like Rauf make money by playing foreign T20 competitions like Caribbean Premier League."
Rauf was earlier granted NOC to take part in the Major Cricket League 2024 tournament in the USA, while four other Pakistan players have been granted NOC to play in the ongoing CPL 2024 in West Indies.
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