KARACHI: The Covid-19 threat is still looming but the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) believes the show must goes on and the country’s first-class tournament, the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy, should be held in a bio-secure environment.

Sources in the relevant PCB department have told this correspondent that only two cities will be assigned the first and second XI matches.

“Two cities, having multiple grounds available, will be assigned first class and second XI games. All players, officials and other relevant staff will be housed in a bio-secure environment,” sources said.

“Karachi, Lahore and even Rawalpindi are in consideration for the first class and second XI events from the late September or early October this year. The virus threat is not time-barred therefore we have to work around it with prescribed SOPs.”

The sources added that new contracts, with recently drafted categories, would be announced after the final formation of six regional outfits.

“Some tweaks in the regional outfits — both first class and second XI — are possible in view of the last season’s performances at both levels. Fresh contracts would be awarded after final formation of teams in all regions,” they said.

As per the new contracts’ structure, announced by the PCB recently, there will now be five categories, starting with an A+ in which ten elite performers (out of 192 players overall) from the previous season will be inducted.

Players in the elite category will receive Rs 150,000 per month. Thirty eight players will be in category A (Rs 85,000), 48 players will be placed in category B (Rs 75,000), 72 players will fall in category C (Rs 65,000) and 24 will be in adjusted in category D (Rs 40,000).

Published in Dawn, July 20th, 2020