The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to design its new central contracts keeping in mind next year's World Cup and will lay emphasis on quality rather than quantity. Reliable sources in the PCB told PTI today that the Board is planning to reduce the number of players in the new central contracts from 35 to 25. 'Last year 35 players got central contracts in different categories but this year discussions have been held on giving fewer players contracts but raising their monthly salaries and other perks in the contracts,' a PCB official said.

The official said that the PCB was contemplating increasing monthly retainers and also fees for Test matches. He said that head coach Mickey Arthur will join chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq and two Board officials, Haroon Rasheed and Mudassar Nazar in finalising the list of players to be given the new contracts. 'These people will also recommend to the Board how many players should get contracts and how much raise should be given to them,' the official added. He said the head coach wanted the PCB to give contracts to those players who would be in a pool of players to be finalised for the World Cup pretty soon.