The Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) recent announcement of central contracts for the 2025-26 season has reportedly left senior players feeling "shocked" and "disrespected". The decision to scrap Category A altogether and demote Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, who were the only two players in that category last season, to Category B has caused considerable unrest within the team.
According to a report in Cricket Pakistan, senior players, who remained unnamed, were not only surprised but also displeased by the PCB's move. They felt it was a sign of disrespect towards them. The report further stated that these players vented their frustrations in private chats, with some even contemplating rejecting the central contracts. It's important to note that players can still represent their country even without a central contract.
The PCB, on Tuesday, announced central contracts for 30 male cricketers for the upcoming 2025–26 international season, with no players placed in the top-tier Category A. The contracts are effective from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, and the PCB stated that they "reflect the board's continued commitment to recognising and supporting national talent". The roster includes ten players each in Categories B, C, and D.
The decision to demote Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan comes after both players were excluded from the Asia Cup squad. The PCB has expanded the pool of contracted players from 27 to 30, including 12 new additions, which they say highlights the emergence of promising new talent and their strategic focus on squad depth and future development. The new entrants include 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.
Five players have been promoted based on their performances. Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, and Shadab Khan have all been promoted from Category C to Category B. Nine players have retained their positions in the same categories. However, eight players have missed out on contracts this year, including Aamir Jamal, Haseebullah, Kamran Ghulam, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Muhammad Irfan Khan, and Usman Khan, all of whom were previously in Category D.
The PCB's decision has sparked debate among fans and experts. Some believe that the absence of a Category A reflects the team's recent performances. Others are questioning the PCB's criteria for awarding central contracts. Some fans have even requested Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to intervene.
Despite the controversy, the PCB has increased the monthly salaries of players in Categories C and D. Cricketers in Category C will now receive PKR 2.5 million per month, an increase of PKR 500,000 from last year. Players in Category D will receive PKR 1.5 million per month, an increase of PKR 300,000. However, the salaries of Category B players remain unchanged.
The demotion of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan also signals a potential shift in leadership priorities. Some analysts believe that the PCB is sending a strong message that no one is larger than life and that performance is key. However, some critics point to the demotion of Test captain Shan Masood to Category D as a sign that the board is sidelining the longest format of the game.
