June 05, 2007	Tuesday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 19, 1428

LAHORE, June 4: The 'irresponsible' press statements of Pakistan captain, Shoaib Malik and Shoaib Akhtar in the recent past are likely to be considered as acts of indiscipline during the first formal meeting, which is being held on Tuesday to finalise the policy of awarding central contracts to about 20 cricketers.

The meeting which is to be chaired by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Dr Nasim Ashraf will also be attended by the national selection committee and other officials of the board.

Sources told Dawn that since the PCB chairman had already outlined a policy of considering performance and not seniority as criteria for inducting any player in 'A', 'B' or 'C' category of the central contract, Shoaib Malik while talking to media had suggested that board should also consider seniority as one of the main factors.

The PCB, which is not happy over the poor performance of the seniors in the 2007 World Cup, had decided to only consider performance as merit in future.

Sources said the PCB chairman was not happy over Shoaib for giving a statement on a policy matter to the press.

The chairman was of the view that the players should discuss such issues with the board instead in public.

Last week, PCB chief operating officer Shafqat Naghmi had also said that besides performance, fitness and discipline, seniority would also be considered. However, next day the COO retracted his statement stating that seniority would not be considered.

Meanwhile, fast bowler Shoaib could be grilled as the PCB was not too happy over a statement he made to the international media in an interview, predicting that the future of Pakistan cricket was bleak.

Furthermore, the meeting will also discuss another major issue, whether former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq will also be given the central contract, since he has already called it a day from one-day cricket, confining himself to Test cricket, after poor performance of Pakistan under his captaincy in the last World Cup.

Since Tests are not being held in good numbers as compared to one-day cricket, therefore, the PCB could find it difficult in deciding Inzamam's remuneration under the central contract.

The selectors have also informed Inzamam through media that he could only find a place in the team after proving his match-fitness.

The PCB, soon after the debacle in the World Cup had suspended the central contract with the players, which is due to end on June 30, 2007.

The next central contract will also be implemented from July 1, 2007.