The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made a significant move by omitting former captain Nida Dar and all-rounder Aliya Riaz from its newly announced central contracts for the 2024-25 season. This decision reflects the board’s strategy to focus on nurturing younger talent as part of its alignment with the ICC Women’s Future Tours Programme (FTP) for 2025-29.
Pakistan Drop Nida Dar and Aliya Riaz
Nida Dar, a veteran player with extensive experience, was previously in Category A. Aliya Riaz, who had been demoted to Category B last year, has also been excluded. Their omission is linked to recent poor performances and concerns about their attitudes within the team.
Other players left out include Sidra Nawaz, Eyman Fatima, Anoosha Nasir, and Shawaal Zulfiqar. Despite not receiving contracts, these players remain eligible for selection.
Shift in Focus
The PCB’s new contracts list includes only 16 players. This is a reduction from the 20 players awarded contracts last year. Fatima Sana and wicketkeeper Muneeba Ali have been promoted to Category A due to their strong performances. The board emphasized that these changes are part of a broader strategy to enhance competitiveness and ensure a strong future for women’s cricket in Pakistan.
While the omission of seasoned players like Dar and Riaz raises questions about their future roles in the national team, the PCB has assured that all excluded players remain eligible for selection. This approach allows for a robust pool of talent as Pakistan prepares for upcoming international challenges.
PCB Chief Operating Officer Sumair Ahmad Syed stated, “We are committed to recognizing consistent performances and rewarding talent.” The board’s focus on developing young players aims to build a competitive squad capable of excelling on the global stage.
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