The Pakistan Cricket Board has handed rookie fast bowler Mohammad Aamer a central contract.

Aamer's performance in the tournament has drawn lavish praise and earned him a maiden call up to the Test team for the series against Sri Lanka starting later this week.

Aamer is handed a 'C' category central contract 

Last month, the PCB had awarded 'A' category contracts to prolific batsman Mohammad Yousuf and all-rounder Abdul Razzaq, but had ignored Aamer.

Razzaq and Yousuf had been excluded from the PCB's original list of 26 centrally contracted players because of their ties with the banned Indian Cricket League.

The two severed ties with the ICL in May under the PCB's amnesty scheme and were thereafter eligible for international cricket.

The PCB have now handed Aamer a 'C' category central contract and he would receive a monthly fee of 100,000 rupees (about 747 pounds).

Players with an 'A' category contract are paid a monthly fee of 300,000 rupees (about 2240 pounds).

The PCB now have a total of 30 contracted players. Young fast bowler Abdur Rauf was also handed a mid-season contract.