The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has executed a significant restructuring of its central contracts for the 2025-26 season, headlined by the demotion of two of its biggest stars. Former captain Babar Azam and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan have both been shifted down from the top-tier Category A to Category B. In a more startling move, Test captain Shan Masood has been relegated from Category B to Category D. In a break from tradition, the PCB has not awarded a single Category A contract this year, marking a clear shift in policy.
The board has expanded the total number of contracted players from 27 to 30, introducing 12 new names to the list, including veterans like Hasan Ali and Faheem Ashraf and newcomers like Hasan Nawaz and Sufyan Moqim. The changes also reward strong performances, with five players—Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, and Shadab Khan—earning promotions from Category C to B. However, eight players from last year’s roster, including emerging talents like Aamir Jamal and Usman Khan, have been dropped entirely.
The final composition of categories reveals the new pecking order. Category B now includes the demoted stars Babar and Rizwan alongside Shaheen Shah Afridi, Fakhar Zaman, and the promoted players. Category C features a mix of established names like Naseem Shah and Saud Shakeel with new inclusions such as Mohammad Haris. Category D is largely comprised of newcomers and all-rounders, with the demoted Shan Masood being the most notable name in this group.
This comprehensive reshuffle underscores the PCB’s strategy to base contracts more heavily on recent performance and future potential rather than past reputation. By leaving Category A empty and promoting a larger group of players, the board aims to foster greater competition and ensure that selection and remuneration are directly tied to current contributions to the national team.
