The Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) announcement of central contracts for the 2025-26 season has reportedly left senior players "shocked" and feeling "disrespected". The board's decision to remove Category A from the contracts, resulting in the demotion of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan to Category B, has stirred considerable controversy.

For the first time since the introduction of central contracts, no player has been awarded a Category A deal. This decision has been widely attributed to the team's recent underwhelming performances in major tournaments, including the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.

The new contracts, effective from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, see a total of 30 players awarded central contracts, distributed equally across Categories B, C, and D, with 10 players in each. This marks an expansion from the previous year's list of 27 contracted players, with 12 new additions, highlighting the board's focus on squad depth and future development.

The decision to demote Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, who were the only players in Category A last season, has been met with dismay by some senior players. Sources suggest that these players were not only shocked but also displeased, feeling a sense of disrespect. The report added that these players even vented their frustration with each other in private chats, and a few even considered rejecting the central contract.

Adding to the discontent, reports suggest an impression among some players that certain individuals received contracts or promotions due to the influence of Aaqib Javed and coach Mike Hesson. Questions have been raised about the inclusion of Faheem Ashraf, who has had a relatively quiet year in T20Is.

However, PCB sources have denied any claims of favoritism, emphasizing that selections were 100% merit-based and that players' contract categories would improve as their performances improve.

Despite the controversy surrounding the top-tier contracts, the PCB has increased the monthly salaries of players in Categories C and D. Category C players will now receive PKR 2.5 million per month, an increase of PKR 500,000 from the previous PKR 2 million. Meanwhile, Category D players will take home PKR 1.5 million monthly, reflecting an increase of PKR 300,000 from the previous PKR 1.2 million. Players in Category B will continue to receive PKR 3 million per month, without any raise in this update.

Several players have earned promotions based on their performances. Salman Ali Agha, Saim Ayub, Haris Rauf, Shadab Khan, and Abrar Ahmed have all been promoted to Category B. Meanwhile, nine cricketers have retained their previous categories, and eight players have been dropped from the new contracts.

The PCB's decision to revamp the central contracts reflects a strategic shift towards recognizing and supporting emerging talent while also addressing concerns about the performance of senior players. While the changes have sparked debate and disappointment among some, the board remains committed to building a strong and competitive national team.