PCB Snubs Category A in New Contracts
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) unveiled its central contracts for the 2025-26 season, making a bold decision to exclude any cricketer from the top Category A for the first time in years.
The new structure, effective from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, includes 30 players divided equally across Categories B, C, and D.
Category B features established names such as Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, who were previously part of Category A. They are joined by Shaheen Afridi, Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Saim Ayub, and Salman Ali Agha.
Currency Converter
Category C brings together rising stars and experienced players. The list includes Abdullah Shafique, Naseem Shah, Saud Shakeel, Faheem Ashraf, Sajid Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Haris, Sohaibzada Farhan, Hassan Nawaz, and Noman Ali.
Read More: Sponsorship hits record levels for 2025 Asia Cup
Category D combines senior cricketers with young prospects such as Shan Masood, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Abbas Afridi, Khushdil Shah, Ahmed Daniyal, Salman Mirza, Khurram Shahzad, and Sufyan Muqim.
Officials stated that contracts were awarded purely on performance and consistency.
| Category | Players |
|---|---|
| B | Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi, Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha |
| C | Abdullah Shafique, Naseem Shah, Saud Shakeel, Faheem Ashraf, Sajid Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Haris, Sohaibzada Farhan, Hassan Nawaz, Noman Ali |
| D | Shan Masood, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Abbas Afridi, Khushdil Shah, Ahmed Daniyal, Salman Mirza, Khurram Shahzad, Sufyan Muqim |
