“I have decided to opt out of my central contract in order to be more flexible during the domestic season, allowing me to explore all opportunities available and look after my family in the best way possible,” he said in a CSA statement. “This will not impact my ability or motivation to play for the Proteas in any way and I will always be available to play for my country whenever I am needed. It has always been my dream to bring the World Cup home to South Africa, and no franchise league will ever be more important than playing for my country.”
Another potential ground for Shamsi letting go of his CSA deal could centre around him being made to fly back home during the CPL this year. As per Shamsi’s contract, he had to attend the CSA awards night, although he wasn’t a winner of any of the hounours. However, CSA have always historically expected that contracted players attend the awards, even if it meant leaving overseas assignments midway.
But although Shamsi returned to the West Indies to resume playing in the CPL, him missing three matches for St Kitts & Nevis Patriots meant he lost portions of his match fee again. ESPNcricinfo undersatands the match fees from leagues amount to substantial sums, and are more lucrative than national contracts.
Come 2025, the CSA Provincial One-Day Challenge, South Africa’s domestic one-day tournament, which is scheduled to run from February 15 to March 16, happens to clash with the PSL. Thus, had Shamsi been contracted to CSA, his commitments with the board would have forced him to again miss portions of the PSL.
