Pakistani cricketers will have to wait until the end of the ODI tri-series later this month before they receive their central contracts, as the head coach and selectors want to assess players before making a final decision.

Pakistan will compete in a tri-series involving Sri Lanka and England from October 18 to 31 in Rawalpindi and Lahore.

"The reason for this is that head coach Mike Hesson, who is coaching the national team in all formats, and the national selectors want to have a look at the performances of the players in the ongoing international matches at home and also the ongoing first-class domestic season before they reach a decision," the source said.

The source added that Hesson and the selectors believe they can get a conclusive picture on which player (s) to place in which category in the new central contracts after watching their performances in these matches.

The PCB has said it would be giving the new central contracts in specialised format categories and not on seniority. The players will now be categorised in Test cricket format, T20 format, and white-ball format (ODIs+T20), etc.

The source said the announcement of the new contracts might be delayed until the completion of the two-Test series against Sri Lanka in November.

"Whenever the central contracts are given out, they will be given on a backdate as the last central contracts expired on 31st July," the source added. Usually the board announces the new contracts in August.

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