LAHORE: Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik has urged cricket authorities to introduce attractive red-ball contracts for specialist players, arguing that stronger financial incentives are essential to restore the country’s Test structure and raise standards at the international level.
In a statement, Malik said that rewarding players who commit to the longer format would discourage the drift toward franchise cricket and help preserve the technical skills required for Test success.
Malik urged the Pakistan Cricket Board and stakeholders to design contracts that make first-class cricket financially viable for specialists, enabling them to prioritise red-ball commitments without sacrificing livelihood.
He recommended that contracted red-ball players be encouraged — and supported — to play at least five first-class matches each season, a minimum he believes is necessary to maintain form, match fitness and the temperament Test cricket demands.
Highlighting the risks of short-term thinking, Malik warned that chasing franchise opportunities can prompt players to alter their natural game, undermining the development of complete skills. “Incomplete skills do not survive at the international level,” he said, stressing that only fully committed players who focus on technique, patience and adaptability can meet the rigours of Test cricket.
Malik also argued that specialist contracts would create a clearer career pathway for players who prefer the red ball, giving them financial security and professional recognition. Such a system, he suggested, would reduce the temptation to prioritise T20 leagues and would encourage a generation of cricketers to build the endurance and craft required for multi-day cricket.
The former captain framed his proposal as a practical measure to strengthen Pakistan’s long-term competitiveness in Tests. By financially supporting red-ball specialists and ensuring regular participation in first-class fixtures, Malik believes Pakistan can rebuild a deeper pool of players ready for the international stage and improve the overall standard of Test performances.
