PCB Offers Lucrative Central Contracts To Counter ICL Lure

The Pakistan Cricket Board on Saturday offered lucrative financial incentives in its new central contracts to stop players from being lured by the private Indian Cricket League.

The new contracts carry monthly retainers of 250,000 rupees, 150,000 rupees and 100,000 rupees in three categories, besides several performance-based incentives for the 20 players, team manager Talat Ali said.

Ali said eight players -- fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, captain Shoaib Malik, Imran Farhat, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Asif, Umar Gul, Kamran Akmal and Yasir Hameed -- signed the contract on the spot.

"The players were very happy with the terms in the contracts offered to them. The ones who didn't sign are those who are based in Karachi and couldn't attend the meeting. But they are expected to sign them on Saturday," Talat said.

"There is extra money for winning a series, a match, scoring a hundred, taking four catches and wickets," he added.

According to local media, all-rounder Shahid Afridi and fast bowler pacer Mohammad Asif have been offered large sums by the Zee-group, the ICL organisers. Asif had rejected the offer but Afridi was yet to take a decision, the reports said.

About reports that some players had told the board they wanted time to ponder over the clauses of the contract, Talat said the PCB wanted them to take time before signing them.

"The board told them they were free to consult their lawyers and advisers before signing them. But I know eight players signed the contracts on the spot. The rest should do it today," he said.

Meanwhile, sources said skipper Younis Khan was also approached in England, where he is playing for Yorkshire, but he turned it down.

ICL organisers have already approached former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, who has retired from One-Day Internationals but is keen to play in Tests for Pakistan.

Sources said another former captain, Moin Khan, was also in the ICL radar.

The BCCI has made it clear that it will take strict action against any players, who align with the rebel league and has refused to recognize it.