The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has unveiled its latest central contracts for the 2025-26 season, creating a major talking point in the cricketing fraternity. For the first time in recent years, no cricketer has been awarded a Category A contract, a move that has surprised both fans and analysts.
These contracts will run from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, and have been structured into three tiers — Category B, Category C, and Category D, with ten players in each group. The restructuring reflects a performance-based approach and underlines the board’s intent to raise the competitive standards among the national squad.
Category B: Senior Stars Demoted
The most notable change is the demotion of former Category A players, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, who now find themselves in Category B. Once considered indispensable figures in Pakistan cricket, their shift is seen as the PCB’s reminder that individual excellence must consistently align with the team’s evolving demands.
Joining them in this category are some of Pakistan’s premier performers including Shaheen Afridi, Fakhar Zaman, and Shadab Khan. The presence of Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, and Hasan Ali adds balance, while Saim Ayub and Salman Ali Agha complete the lineup.
The mix of fast bowlers, batsmen, and all-rounders in Category B shows that these players are still considered vital, but the absence of an elite category signals a demand for higher impact performances.
Category C: Blend of Experience and Youth
Category C represents a combination of emerging cricketers and experienced performers who have shown flashes of potential but need to maintain consistency.
This group features Abdullah Shafique, who has impressed in red-ball cricket, alongside pace sensation Naseem Shah. Middle-order stabilizer Saud Shakeel and all-rounder Faheem Ashraf add depth, while Sajid Khan brings a spin option.
The category also includes Mohammad Nawaz, a seasoned all-rounder, and the energetic Mohammad Haris. Rising talents such as Sohaibzada Farhan, Hassan Nawaz, and Noman Ali round off the list.
By placing these cricketers in Category C, the PCB has acknowledged their contributions while highlighting the need for stronger, more match-winning displays to secure a higher grade in the future.
Category D: Gateway for Developing Talent
Category D has traditionally been the entry point for newcomers or those aiming to stage comebacks. This year, the PCB has included a blend of established players on the fringes and promising youngsters looking to cement their places.
The list features Shan Masood, who continues to oscillate between leadership roles and inconsistent form, along with versatile all-rounder Hussain Talat. Fast bowler Mohammad Abbas, known for his red-ball exploits, and Mohammad Wasim Jr. have also been placed here.
Among the younger faces are Abbas Afridi, Khushdil Shah, Ahmed Daniyal, and Salman Mirza. Completing the group are Khurram Shahzad and Sufyan Muqim, both eager to make their mark on the international stage.
The inclusion of such names highlights the PCB’s intent to keep the competition open, ensuring every player feels the pressure to perform consistently.
Performance-Based Selection
According to PCB officials, the absence of a Category A group was a deliberate decision. The board emphasized that the categorization reflects recent performance levels and consistency, not past reputations. By eliminating the top tier, the PCB has effectively sent a strong message to both senior and junior players: only sustained excellence will earn the most prestigious recognition.
This shake-up could prove to be a turning point, motivating established stars to sharpen their games while encouraging younger players to step up on the international stage. With Pakistan cricket entering a crucial phase in all three formats, the performance-driven structure may define how the team shapes up in the coming year.
