PCB has announced the 2025-26 men’s central contracts with 30 players. No one in Category A! Babar Azam and Rizwan got promoted? who missed out, and how salaries have changed.
Pakistan cricket fans, listen up! The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has just revealed the central contract list for the 2025–26 season, and it’s a game-changer. The top-tier Category A has been left empty, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have been demoted to Category B, and 12 fresh faces have been added to the roster.
Why This Contract List Matters
- No Category A this time – A bold, rare move by PCB that signals a shift away from star-based hierarchy.
- Babar & Rizwan Demoted – Both national icons have dropped from A to B, reflecting tough times and performance-based decisions.
- 30 players got contracts – That’s three more than last year, with 10 players in each of categories B, C, and D.
- 12 newcomers on board – A big step towards nurturing new talent and fresh energy in the squad.
- Upgrades earned – Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, and Shadab Khan promoted from C to B for their consistent performances.
Spot the Promotions & Newcomers
Category B (10 Players)
Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi Established names
Abrar Ahmed, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan Promoted for strong performances
Category C (10 Players): Abdullah Shafique, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Sahibzada Farhan, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel.
Also Read – Virat Kohli Top 10 ODI’s Record.
Category D (10 Players): Ahmed Daniyal, Hussain Talat, Khurram Shahzad, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Salman Mirza, Shan Masood, Sufyan Moqim
Salary Changes & What It Means for Players
The new structure brings financial boosts:
Category B: Monthly salary stays at PKR 3 million.
Category C: Now PKR 2.5 million/month (up from PKR 2 million).
Category D: Now PKR 1.5 million/month (up from PKR 1.2 million).
This shows PCB is investing in wider talent, not just the stars.
What Fans Are Saying
Demoting Babar and Rizwan sparked strong reactions:
“PCB’s 2025–26 central contracts marked a bold reset, scrapping Category A altogether.”
Some fans are trolling the move, while others see it as fair play.
FAQs –
Q1: Why is there no Category A this year?
It’s a bold strategy by PCB to reward performance over legacy. No player met the board’s current standards for the top bracket.
Q2: How many players got contracts?
Thirty, evenly spread across B, C, and D. Twelve are completely new.
Q3: Who got promoted?
Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, and Shadab Khan moved from C to B.
Q4: What about Babar and Rizwan?
They’ve been moved down to Category B, signalling a dip in form or confidence from the board.
Q5: What do the new salaries look like?
B: PKR 3 million
C: PKR 2.5 million (+0.5 million)
D: PKR 1.5 million (+0.3 million)
Final Word –
This contract list is more than just numbers. It’s a clear message that PCB wants fresh energy, fairness, and performance at the core. Rising names are getting their chance; legends are being held to higher standards.
[…] Also Read – PCB Central Contract 2025-26. […]