After PCB released the Central Contracts for the 2025-26 international season, it bore a huge shock for senior Pakistani players, since no player was kept under Category A of the contracts.
Recent reports have suggested that senior players like Babar Azam and Mohammed Rizwan have cited this as an insult to their esteem and years of service to the Pakistan National Cricket Team.
As the information was conveyed to them, some senior players were reportedly frustrated with the changes.
Reports from Pakistani media have also suggested that there were impressions of discrepancy among Pakistani players. Some understand that the influence of Aaqib Javed and Mike Hesson has led to the promotion of a few players.
Questions have also been raised on the inclusion of Faheem Ashraf, the all-rounder who underperformed in the previous season, with just 97 runs and 6 wickets across 9 T20I games.
PCB revealed Central Contracts omitted Category A for the 2025-26 season
As per the PCB central contracts, which were released last week, the omission of Category A was found. No player, not even the likes of legendary batters like Babar Azam or Mohammed Rizwan, was placed under Category A.
Sources in Pakistani media revealed that several senior players were not only shocked but also displeased, feeling disrespected. Despite no media statements, the players shared their frustration in private discussions.
One of the senior officials from the international cricket department of the PCB contacted the players to inform them of the decision, but notably, none of the selectors were present. Even during the announcement of the contracts, no selector was present to explain the decisions being taken.
Senior Players seek release from Contract
After believing that there have been major discrepancies in the swap made for the central contract, several senior Pakistan players have made some decisions that might have large-scale implications.
However, PCB sources have revealed that no decision has been made based on favouritism, as they emphasized that 100% merit-based selections have been made and have claimed that as the performance of players improves, their contract category will also improve.
However, some reports have claimed that some players are considering freeing themselves from the obligations of the central contract, since it is possible to represent the country even without a central contract. Though it remains to be seen whether this pack of ‘senior players’ includes the likes of Babar Azam or Mohammed Rizwan.
Babar Azam and Mohammed Rizwan were not picked in the Asia Cup Squad
Veteran Pakistani batters Babar Azam and Mohammed Rizwan, who were once considered the backbone of the Pakistani batting unit, have not made the cut to feature in the Asia Cup squad.
Ever since the Champions Trophy, when Agha Salman was appointed the new T20I skipper, replacing Mohammed Rizwan, the wicket-keeper has missed out on most of the series played in the shortest format of the game.
On the other hand, Babar is a modern-day legend of Pakistan cricket and was likely to feature in the Asia Cup; however, his weak form continued in the West Indies ODI tour, which snubbed him from chances in the continental championship.
Selector Aaqib Javed and Head Coach Mike Hesson have been transparent on the issue, saying the two veterans will get a chance if they perform like the others are at the moment. Hesson also backed Babar Azam for making a comeback with the BBL.