PCB warning for contracted players: Meet fitness standards or get ready for 15 percent pay cut

Pakistan's centrally-contracted players will have to meet the fitness standards set by the team management or else lose 15 per cent of their monthly salary, the country's cricket board (PCB) warned on Friday.

The directive came after new head coach Misbah-ul-Haq had termed that top level fitness is paramount for national team players as lack of it has been the reason for team's steady decline.

The PCB has said that a player will be subjected to a 15 per cent deduction from his monthly retainer fees in case he fails to meet the minimum fitness requirements while a "consistent defaulter" will risk a chance of getting relegated to a lower grade.

"A player failing to meet the minimum fitness requirements will be fined 15 per cent of his monthly retainer, which will remain effective until such time he achieves the minimum fitness standards," a PCB statement read.

"Player failing consecutive tests will risk the chances of retaining his central contract category and may face demotion," it added
"Their tests will be conducted by their respective coaches and trainers as per their own schedules and players failing to pass fitness tests will jeopardise their chances of featuring in the Pakistan Cup One-Day Tournament to be held from March 25 to April 19."
Centrally contracted players:
Category A Babar Azam, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Yasir Shah
Category B Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Haris Sohail, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Abbas, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi