2025 PCB Central Contracts: Demotion of Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan; No Category A Players Specified
Pakistan Cricket Board Shakes Up Central Contracts for 2025-2026 Cycle
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made some significant changes to its central contracts for the upcoming 2025-2026 cycle. Notably, star players Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have been demoted to Category B, marking a shift in the PCB's evaluation criteria towards recent performance metrics.
Demotion of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan
Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have been demoted to Category B primarily due to their recent poor form and exclusion from important squads, including the Asia Cup 2025. Both players struggled notably in limited-overs matches during the past year, with Babar last playing a T20I in December 2024 and underperforming in the ODI series against the West Indies. Rizwan had also been absent from T20Is and scored poorly in Caribbean ODIs.
This demotion follows their earlier snubbing from Pakistan's T20I squads for series against Bangladesh and West Indies earlier in 2025 and finally the Asia Cup squad, signaling a major decline in their standing within the team.
Absence of Category A Players
For the first time in the 21-year history of Pakistan’s contract system, the top category, Category A, is empty. This unusual decision reflects the PCB’s strategy emphasizing squad depth and the emergence of fresh talent. The expanded pool of 30 contracted players includes 12 new entrants and several promotions from lower categories, indicating a broader rebuild effort.
Impact of the Changes
The absence of Category A players may impact team dynamics and leadership structures, prompting a reassessment of roles within the squad. Opener Saim Ayub and pacer Haris Rauf have moved up the contract categories, while ten players each are placed in Categories B, C, and D.
Notable omissions from contracts this year include Aamir Jamal, Haseebullah, Kamran Ghulam, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Muhammad Irfan Khan, and Usman Khan, all previously in Category D. The new entrants are Ahmed Daniyal, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Mirza, and Sufyan Moqim.
The PCB has not disclosed the valuation of the contracts for the 2025-2026 cycle. Category A contracts previously offered monthly retainers of PKR 4.5 million, while Category B contracts provided PKR 3 million.
The decision to exclude any player from Category A and the demotion of former Category A players Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan has provoked strong reactions from fans and media, with some calling it unjust treatment of former team stalwarts. However, the PCB's strategy seems to be focused on fostering talent, squad depth, and future focus, rather than relying heavily on senior established stars.
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