The Pakistan Cricket Board has unveiled its central contracts for the 2025-26 season and the announcement has created a stir in the cricketing fraternity. In recent months, Pakistan's selectors have been shifting focus toward younger players and fresh combinations - especially in the shortest format.
That transition has now reflected in the contract list as well with some of the country's biggest names finding themselves on the receiving end of surprising changes.
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Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan dropped to Category B
Just days after being excluded from the Asia Cup squad, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan faced another setback as both were demoted from Category A to Category B in PCB's new contract list.
According to the board, the updated list will run until June 30, 2026 and for the first time in recent years, no cricketer has been placed in Category A. The decision comes after the duo's absence from Pakistan's last two T20I series - against Bangladesh and the West Indies.
Babar had briefly returned as captain for the 2024 T20 World Cup but he now finds himself without a top-tier contract. Compared to last year's 27-player list, the new pool features 30 cricketers - including 12 fresh additions such as Ahmed Daniyal, Khushdil Shah, Hasan Nawaz and Mohammad Haris.
Which players were promoted in PCB contract list?
The expansion reflects the PCB's push for depth and long-term squad development. Several players were rewarded for strong performances in 2024 with Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha and Shadab Khan all moving up from Category C to B.
Shaheen Shah Afridi retained his spot in Category B while nine others - including Abdullah Shafique and Saud Shakeel, remained in their previous brackets.
The restructuring was not limited to demotions. Eight players - including Usman Khan, Mir Hamza and Aamir Jamal, failed to secure any contract for the new cycle. This underlines the PCB's willingness to make tough calls in pursuit of a new direction for Pakistan cricket.
With the Asia Cup around the corner and the T20 World Cup in 2026 on the horizon, the board's bold decisions signal a clear generational shift that could reshape the national team in the years to come.