PCB gives contracts to 'rebel' trio

The Pakistan Cricket Board has offered central contracts to opener Imran Nazir [ Images ], senior batsman Mohammad Yousuf [ Images ] and all-rounder Abdul Razzaq [ Images ] who returned to mainstream after snapping ties with the 'rebel' Indian Cricket League.

The PCB has given A category central contracts to Yousuf and Razzaq while Nazir, who was cleared recently to play for the national team again, got a C category central contract.

Nazir was pardoned by PCB chairman Ejaz Butt last week for misconduct during the final of the National Twenty20 [ Images ] Championship in Lahore [ Images ] and he can now be considered for selection for the one-day series in Sri Lanka [ Images ].

The Board has also awarded a C category contract to new left-arm pacer Mohammad Aamer who has impressed since making his debut in the Twenty20 World Cup in England [ Images ].

Nazir is expected to join Yousuf and Razzaq for the one-day series and the lone Twenty20 international in Sri Lanka later this month with the board chairman confirming that a new selection committee would be announced by July 21 and would be responsible for picking all national teams.