KARACHI: Several cricket fans have expressed their disappointment over the exclusion of Pakistan’s bowling all-rounder Faheem Ashraf from the recently-announced Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Central Contracts 2022-23.
Faheem, who has been an integral part of the Green Shirts’ red ball team and a consistent member in the squads of the team’s recent fixtures, has remained unable to find himself in the list of players named in the recently-revealed central contracts.
Following his exclusion, several cricket fans have taken to Twitter and questioned his exclusion from the central contract. Pakistan’s renowned cricket statistician Mazher Arshad, on the other hand, also seemed surprised by the decision.
…surprised that Faheem Ashraf hasn't found a place in the new central contracts. He is a Test regular!
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) June 30, 2022
A cricket fan also criticized the Chief Selector of Pakistan National Men’s Cricket Team, Mohammad Wasim, and questioned if the latter even follows cricket, whereas, also alleged favouritism.
Or Faheem Ashraf?? Apki test team ka main balancing allrounder, Chief Selector Sb cricket follow krte?? Agr krte hotay to pta hota Faheem nay kia role play kia crucial wins me Pakistan ki pichle do salu se Test me
— Usama Ata (@Usama_Ata) June 30, 2022
Another cricket fan also opined on the all-rounder’s exclusion and termed the decision to be shocking and astonishing.
Faheem Ashraf has not been given Central contract by PCB. Bit of shocking and astonishing! He is one of the best red ball all rounder.🙄#FaheemAshraf#CentralContract #PakistanCricket #PCB pic.twitter.com/reUKRJW6OK
— Parmanand 🇵🇰🕉 (@RathoreParm) June 30, 2022
Another cricket fan seemed unhappy with the decision and called it ‘disgusting’.
No @iFaheemAshraf in Central contract of our red ball players, disgusting is how can we eleminate a player from central contract who is integral part of our red ball team in recent years#faheemashraf
— Najaf Khan (@Najafkhan9090) June 30, 2022
Besides Faheem, the left-arm spinner Sajid Khan, who was a part of the Green Shirts’ red-ball squad for the Bangladesh and Australia series, also failed to make it into the central contracts.
On the other hand, Pakistan’s young right-arm pacer Mohammad Hasnain, who was given Category C in the previous year’s central contract, failed to retain because he was sidelined after his brief Big Bash League (BBL) stint as his bowling action was deemed illegal.
Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Abbas, and Imad Wasim are the other notable players who were not included in the central contracts.
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