Lahore: Seam bowling trio of Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali and Wahab Riaz have lost their central contracts as Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced its list for the 2020-21 season on Wednesday.
Amir and Riaz had both retired from the longest format of the game last year citing workload management to extend their limited over careers with Pakistan.
"The selectors have made the tough decisions to leave out Amir, Hasan, and Wahab but considering Hasan missed most of the season due to an injury and Amir and Wahab decided to focus on white-ball cricket, this was the right move," said Misbah-ul-Haq, Pakistan men's national team chief selector and head coach in an official statement.
"However, Amir and Wahab are senior and experienced bowlers and they remain in contention as we believe they can still contribute to the Pakistan men's cricket team and also mentor our young battery of fast bowler," he added.
The PCB in the central contract list which will come into effect from 1 July demoted former skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed from category A to B. Test skipper Azhar Ali and Shaheen Afridi were promoted from category B to A.
The apex body of cricket in Pakistan also created a new 'Emerging Players' category for three upcoming players Haris Rauf, Haider Ali, and Mohammad Hasnain, while Naseem Shah earned a maiden category C contract.