Vice-captain Yousuf Youhana has asked the Pakistan Cricket Board to introduce a central contract system for players in order to stem the recent surge in injuries.

Youhana, who has played 51 Tests and 164 One-Day Internationals, said the increasing number of injuries were a result of non-stop cricket in a bid to earn money during the off-season.

"We're facing injury problems because we're playing too much cricket. Even during the off-season, when players should be resting, they opt to play abroad to earn money," he told Reuters on Tuesday.

Pakistan lost Moin Khan, Shabbir Ahmed, Abdul Razzaq and Umar Gul through injury before the third Test against India which started on Tuesday.

Youhana said the best way to provide financial security was to introduce a central contracts system.

"We've had discussions with the Board on this issue and hopefully something will happen soon," he said.

He said the Board should award contracts to a pool of 25 to 30 players, similar to the systems in Australia and England.

"Then players will stay fit because they won't have to play domestic competitions in other countries," he said.