The much-delayed graded payments system for Indian cricketers is unlikely to be finalised before the Asia Cup, BCCI sources said.

"At present, the deal is being looked into by the players' lawyers. Then, once they spell out their stand, our lawyers will be seized of the matter," the sources said.

"Only after lawyers of both sides are satisfied with the nitty-gritty, the ball will come to the court of the BCCI," they said.

Consequently, a meeting of the four-member special committee set up to grade players for introducing the system would be convened only after the legal matters were sorted out.

The special committee comprising BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya, secretary S K Nair, coach John Wright and selection committee chairman Syed Kirmani is expected to choose around 20 players to be put on the three-tier contract.

The grading committee will also decide which players would be grouped under A, B and C categories.

While those under A category would receive annual retainership of Rs 60 lakh, players placed in groups B and C will get Rs 30 lakh and Rs 15 lakh respectively, they said.