The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced a major shake-up in its central contracts for the 2025–26 season. Mohammad Rizwan and former captain Babar Azam, once fixtures in Category A, have been excluded from the top tier. This marks a significant shift, with no player awarded a Category A contract this year.
Both stars now join Category B, alongside key players like Shaheen Shah Afridi, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Shadab Khan, and Saim Ayub. The PCB explained this restructuring aims to distribute rewards more evenly, fostering a competitive environment.
The total number of contracted players has risen to 30 from 27 last year. The list welcomes 12 new faces, including Ahmed Daniyal, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, and Hasan Ali. However, eight players, such as Aamir Jamal, Mohammad Huraira, and Usman Khan, missed out this time.
Five cricketers earned promotions based on recent performances. Shadab Khan and Abrar Ahmed moved from Category C to Category B, while Shan Masood faced a notable demotion to Category D.
The contracts will span from July 2025 to June 2026. The PCB aims to encourage consistency across all levels with this expanded pool. The decision has sparked discussions among fans, with some seeing it as a bold move to refresh the squad.
