Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has delayed awarding annual central contacts to its players until until the release of a report into the team’s defeats in all matches on their tour of Australia.

A six-man evaluating committee had delayed its proceeding in view of Pakistan’s ongoing tour of UAE to play two Twenty20 International against England and will meet again after the team returns from Dubai.

“We will announce the central contracts only after the submission of the inquiry report so that there is no conflict between the two,” Wasim Bari, PCB Chief Operating Officer told AFP.

PCB Last year awarded annual contracts to 27 players, nine in the top ‘A’ category, four in ‘B’ and 14 in the ‘C’ category. The likely omission from the new list will be notorious fast-bowler Shoaib Akhtar, who was last year kept in the top category despite playing only four Twenty20 internationals.