Lahore, Aug 19
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has awarded central contracts to 30 male cricketers for the upcoming 2025–26 international season, with veteran batters Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan being demoted to category B, as no player has been placed in category A.
Babar and Rizwan were also snubbed from the T20I squad for the upcoming Asia Cup. The senior duo featured in the recently concluded three-match ODI series against the West Indies. The wicketkeeper-batter has been Pakistan's captain in the 50-over format. However, they haven't featured in Pakistan's T20I squad since last year.
Compared to last year’s list of 27 contracted players, when Babar and Rizwan were the only players to be placed in category A, the PCB has expanded the pool to 30 this year, including 12 fresh additions.
Ahmed Daniyal, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Mirza and Sufyan Moqim are the new entrants in the central contract list.
Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha and Shadab Khan have been promoted from the C to B category, owing to their last year's performances. Additionally, nine players have retained their positions in the same categories.