The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced its central contracts for the 2025-26 season with major changes that have sent ripples across Pakistan cricket. Notably, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, who have been the leading figures of Pakistan’s batting lineup for several years, have been demoted from Category A to Category B contracts.
What Are Central Contracts and Categories?
The PCB central contracts classify players into different categories based on their performances, seniority, and importance to the team. The highest tier is Category A, followed by B, C, and D. Category A players receive the highest monthly salary and perks, with diminishing remuneration as categories go lower. These contracts signify a player’s standing in the national team hierarchy.
The Demotion of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan
Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan were the only two players in Category A in the preceding cycle of 2024-25. Their relatively poor and non-consistent performances in International formats, particularly in key events such as the 2023 and 2024 World Cups and the recent Champions Trophy 2025, compelled the PCB to demote both to Category B in the same period of 2025-26, an unusual situation that would have been unthinkable even a year ago.
This move was taken during the lengthy period of Pakistan’s downfall in world cricket. The team has had its share of tough times, as seen in their early losses in major cutthroat competitions, frequent change of captains and coaching staff, and a clear fall in performance of some of its star players.
Reasons Behind the Demotion
- Poor International Performance: The form of both Babar and Rizwan has been declining in the past 18 months. They have failed to adapt to the current game tempo and, in particular, T20 internationals, and this has harmed the future of Pakistan. They have poor batting performances in important tournaments, and this has created demands for accountability.
- Loss of Leadership Roles: In the recent past, both lost captaincy in the white-ball formats. Babar was even sidelined in the Test side in the home series against England, and this indicated a fading trust in his work.
- Asia Cup Snub: Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan did not find a place in the Pakistan 17-member Asia Cup 2025 squad, which is another indicator of their diminishing role in the national team.
- Emphasis on Rebuilding: The PCB seems to be interested in marketing new and emerging players. Of the 30 players on the contract list across the 2025-26 season, there are 12 new players with a particular emphasis on squad building with an eye towards long-term progress.
Impact on Salaries and Contracts
The former Category A players were making approximately PKR 4.5 million (approximately 13.95 lakh rupees) a month, and the current Category B contracts payout PKR 3 million (roughly 9.28 lakh rupees) each month. The down promotions of Babar and Rizwan have also resulted in a payroll of approximately 4.5 lakh rupees per month each.
In addition, there has been speculation in the PCB to scrap the provision whereby players stand to benefit from 3 percent of all the money PCB earns from the International Cricket Council (ICC). By taking away this clause, one more reduction in the salary of all the centrally contracted players may follow.
Broader Changes in PCB Central Contracts
- Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood moved down to Category D.
- Hopeful talents such as Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, and Shadab Khan were shifted to Category B.
- Some of the veterans and non-active players, such as Aamir Jamal, Usman Khan, were removed completely from the list of the contract.
- There have been new members like Ahmed Daniyal, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, and Mohammad Haris, showing that the board is interested in the introduction of new talent.
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Why Did PCB Take Such a Strict Stance?
In Pakistan, the cricket team has gone through a period of rebuilding where the PCB has been pressured to stabilize the national team and also improve its performance. The demotion of the star players, such as Babar and Rizwan, can be considered a wake-up call to the team in terms of performance accountability. It is also an indication of a strategic change in direction to revive the squad with younger players that could add energy and new skill sets to the international cricket game.
The board is cutting a clear message that reputation alone in the past will not get them rewarded, and that performance and commitment in terms of delivery on a consistent basis will be necessary in order to retain the senior positions within the team. This harsh move will not only inspire Babar and Rizwan but also the whole crowd to improve their play.
