Shoaib Akhtar was the most notable inclusion among the 26 players awarded central contracts by the PCB.
The fast bowler, 33, was at odds with the previous PCB regime, having criticised them after he was handed a five-year ban last spring during a break-down in relations.
Shoaib played only a handful of matches for his country in 2008 because of his ban and injury, and did not receive a central contract. Subsequently, however, he had his ban reduced on appeal to only 18 months, and then commuted by a High Court ruling to a suspended punishment – with a decision still pending over a US dollars 100,000 fine, which was also imposed.
The PCB’s new-look selection panel, headed by former Test leg-spinners Abdul Qadir and Intikhab Alam, have made it clear Shoaib is central to their plans by giving him a prized Category A contract – along with eight more of their lynchpin players.
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