The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced its list of centrally contracted players for the 2025–26 season, introducing significant changes that have already sparked debate in cricketing circles. In a surprising move, the PCB has abolished the prestigious A Category, leaving even star players like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan without a spot at the top tier.
The new contracts will run from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026, covering 30 players in total. For the first time in recent years, no cricketer has been deemed worthy of an A Category slot. Instead, all contracts have been distributed across B, C, and D categories, with 10 players in each bracket.
Why the A Category Was Abolished
In previous years, the A Category was reserved for the most consistent performers and senior players. Last season, both Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan were placed in this group, receiving the highest financial rewards. Despite his demotion, Babar remains a central figure in Pakistan’s cricketing journey and is on the brink of major ODI milestones against West Indies
However, PCB officials stated that the decision to eliminate the category was made because “no player met the required criteria for top-tier selection this year.” While the board has not publicly outlined those criteria in detail, insiders suggest performance inconsistencies, injuries, and Pakistan’s mixed results across formats contributed to the decision.
The absence of an A Category is seen by analysts as a symbolic move — signaling a push for stronger accountability and performance standards.
Breakdown of Player Categories
B Category
The B Category has emerged as the highest tier in the new structure. Some of Pakistan’s most recognized names feature here, including:
Babar Azam (former captain)
Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper-batter)
Shaheen Shah Afridi (pace spearhead)
Fakhar Zaman (opening batter, returning to the list)
Shadab Khan (all-rounder)
Abrar Ahmed (mystery spinner)
Haris Rauf (fast bowler)
Hasan Ali (fast bowler, back in the fold)
Saim Ayub (young batting talent)
Salman Ali Agha (middle-order batter)
This category is expected to carry significant financial incentives, though less than last year’s A Category.
C Category
The C Category is dominated by emerging and mid-level performers. It includes:
Abdullah Shafique
Naseem Shah (moved down from B Category)
Saud Shakeel
Faheem Ashraf
Sajid Khan
Mohammad Nawaz
Mohammad Haris
Sahibzada Farhan
Hasan Nawaz
Nauman Ali
The demotion of fast bowler Naseem Shah has raised eyebrows, as he remains one of Pakistan’s brightest prospects despite injury setbacks.
D Category
The lowest tier, D Category, includes a mix of experienced names and newcomers:
Shan Masood (Pakistan’s current Test captain, shifted down from B to D)
Hussain Talat
Mohammad Abbas (Test specialist)
Mohammad Wasim Jr.
Mohammad Abbas Afridi
Khushdil Shah
Ahmed Daniyal
Salman Mirza
Khurram Shahzad
Sufiyan Muqeem
The demotion of Shan Masood stands out, especially as he continues to lead Pakistan in red-ball cricket. Analysts believe this reflects PCB’s emphasis on white-ball performances and overall consistency.
New Faces and Exclusions
The contracts also welcomed 12 new players, including Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, and Sufiyan Muqeem, signaling the board’s intention to build depth for the future. At the same time, eight players lost their contracts altogether, though PCB has not revealed the full list of those omitted.
By comparison, last year’s roster had 27 players, meaning the pool has expanded slightly to 30 this season.
Context: PCB’s Shift in Policy
The restructuring of central contracts comes at a critical time for Pakistan cricket. Over the past year, the team has struggled with inconsistency in all three formats. In the 2024–25 season, Pakistan faced early exits in several international tournaments and failed to maintain momentum in the World Test Championship.
Financially, central contracts are crucial for Pakistani players, as they provide fixed monthly retainers in addition to match fees and bonuses. The elimination of the A Category may reduce immediate earnings for senior players, but officials insist it will “motivate all cricketers to compete harder for recognition.”
Reaction and Outlook
While the PCB has yet to face public backlash from the players, early reactions from cricket analysts suggest mixed opinions. Some see the move as a fair assessment of Pakistan’s recent struggles, while others view it as “unnecessarily harsh” on senior performers like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan.
The coming season will test whether these changes can indeed push Pakistan cricket toward greater stability and competitiveness. With young talent being given opportunities and established names demoted, the contracts reflect a clear message: reputations alone will no longer guarantee top rewards.
