Babar Azam, Rizwan demoted in PCB Central Contracts 2025-26 shake-up

LAHORE – Another blow to top Pakistani batters Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan as the duo demoted to Category B in central contracts announced for season 2025–26, with no player placed in top Category A bracket.

Star batter Babar Azam and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan have been demoted to Category B as they are joined by Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Abrar Ahmed, Saim Ayub, and Salman Ali Agha in the same group.

Category C includes Abdullah Shafique, Saud Shakeel, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Haris, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Sahibzada Farhan, and Hasan Nawaz.

Meanwhile, Category D list includes Shan Masood, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Khushdil Shah, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Ahmed Daniyal, Salman Mirza, Sufyan Moqim, and Khurram Shahzad.

Read more: Babar Azam faces shock demotion from PCB Category A Contracts

PCB’s decision not to award any player a Category A contract marks a significant shift in its approach, raising questions about performance standards and the board’s future plans for senior players.