Senior Pakistan cricketers expressed shock and disappointment after the PCB removed Category A from player contracts, resulting in the demotion of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan to Category B. The move has reportedly left the players feeling undervalued, raising questions about the board’s decision-making and communication process.
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PCB Removes Category A: Senior Pakistan Players Left Stunned
Senior members of the Pakistan cricket team were reportedly shocked after the Pakistan Cricket Board eliminated Category A from the central contract for 2025–26. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, the only Category A players last season, were demoted to Category B. The PCB expanded the contract list to 30 players, divided into Categories B, C, and D, with no one placed in Category A. Reports suggest some senior players felt disrespected and considered rejecting their contracts, though players can still represent Pakistan without one.
PCB Clarifies Player Contract Decisions Amid Favouritism Claims
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) recently came under scrutiny following claims that some player contracts and promotions were influenced by certain officials, including former coach Aaqib Javed and current coach Mike Hesson. According to reports, players were informed of the board’s decisions regarding their contracts on Monday through an official, while the selection panel was not present. However, no detailed explanation was given to the players after the announcement, leaving room for speculation.
The controversy gained traction particularly after the inclusion of Faheem Ashraf in the contract list. Ashraf, who featured in just nine T20Is this year and scored 97 runs while taking six wickets, was viewed by some as benefiting from favoritism. This perception fueled questions about the transparency of the PCB’s decision-making process, suggesting that influence from senior officials may have played a role in certain contract allocations.
In response, PCB sources firmly denied any allegations of bias, emphasizing that all selections and promotions were based solely on merit. They clarified that players’ performances directly influence their contract categories, which are periodically reviewed and updated as players improve. The board reassured stakeholders that the process is objective and transparent, with a clear framework designed to reward performance, ensuring fairness in all contract decisions across formats.
