The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday unveiled central contracts for 30 male cricketers for the 2025–26 international season, with a surprising omission — no player has been placed in the top-tier Category A.
Read More: Complete Lineup for BRCW Summer Smash 2025
The contracts, effective from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, mark a notable shift in the board’s approach. Last year, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan were the only players in Category A, but both have seen their status downgraded following a dip in form and exclusion from the T20 squad.
According to PCB, this year’s roster is divided evenly across Categories B, C, and D (10 players each). Compared to last year’s list of 27, the pool has expanded to 30, with 12 new faces included — a move the board says reflects its strategic focus on squad depth, future development, and recognition of emerging talent.
🚨 3️⃣0️⃣ players have been awarded central contracts for the 2025-26 international season 📝
Read more ➡️ https://t.co/g9epcZUovJ pic.twitter.com/2JGR7kId1Y
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 19, 2025
New entrants include Ahmed Daniyal, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Mirza, and Sufyan Moqim.
Five players earned promotions for standout performances: Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, and Shadab Khan — all elevated from Category C to B. Meanwhile, nine cricketers retained their previous categories, including Shaheen Shah Afridi (B), Abdullah Shafique (C), and Mohammad Wasim Jnr (D).
However, eight players dropped out of contracts this year: Aamir Jamal, Haseebullah, Kamran Ghulam, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Muhammad Irfan Khan, and Usman Khan.
Contract List 2025–26:
- Category B: Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Rizwan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi
- Category C: Abdullah Shafique, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Sahibzada Farhan, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel
- Category D: Ahmed Daniyal, Hussain Talat, Khurram Shahzad, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Salman Mirza, Shan Masood, Sufyan Moqim
PCB said the absence of Category A selections underlines a “performance-based restructuring”, while the expanded pool signals its intent to invest in the next generation of national talent.
