Pakistan’s new central contracts have sparked debate after Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan were downgraded to Category B, with the PCB choosing not to award any Category A contracts for the 2025–26 cycle.
The contracts, valid from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, cover 30 players split evenly across Categories B, C, and D. While the PCB did not disclose financial details, it emphasised its “commitment to recognising and supporting national talent.”
The demotion of Babar and Rizwan follows a series of disappointing performances in marquee events, including the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. By contrast, T20 skipper Salman Ali Agha earned a promotion from Category C to B, while youngsters Saim Ayub and Haris Rauf also moved up.
Twelve new names entered the contracts list, among them Hasan Ali, Khushdil Shah, and Mohammad Haris. Players like Shaheen Afridi, Shadab Khan, and Fakhar Zaman retained their positions in Category B.
Meanwhile, eight cricketers, including Mir Hamza, Aamir Jamal, and Mohammad Huraira, were left out of the list altogether, reflecting PCB’s tighter performance-based approach.
Category B (10 players): Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Rizwan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi.
Category C (10 players): Abdullah Shafique, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Sahibzada Farhan, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel.
Category D (10 players): Ahmed Daniyal, Hussain Talat, Khurram Shahzad, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Salman Mirza, Shan Masood, Sufyan Moqim.