Wicketkeeper-batsman of Pakistan Mohammad Rizwan Has reportedly refused to sign the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) central contract for the 2025-26 season, citing dissatisfaction with his demotion from Category A to Category B and expressing concern over the recent captaincy reshuffle within the national team.
Rizwan’s decision has sparked a huge debate in Pakistan cricket circles, as he is the only player out of 30 to have agreed to the new deal so far, underscoring the growing tension between senior players and the PCB’s new administrative approach.
PCB restructures central contracts, demotes senior players
With an aim to overhaul its pay structure and performance evaluation, the PCB recently announced a revised central contract system, eliminating the elite Category A – previously reserved for top performers like Babar Azam. Shaheen Afridi And Rizwan.
Under the new structure, all senior players are grouped under Category B, a decision widely seen as a rebuke to the team’s inconsistent performances over the past year, including disappointing results in multi-nation tournaments.
Rizwan, who has been one of Pakistan’s most consistent players across all formats, reportedly expressed his displeasure directly to the PCB, and said that he would not sign the contract until his concerns were addressed.
Rizwan’s main demands from PCB
According to multiple reports, Rizwan has outlined three major demands before signing the contract:
Reinstating Category A for senior players: Rizwan insists that the PCB should reinstate the top pay grade to recognize the long-standing contributions and stature of senior players like him, Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi.
More autonomy for captains: The wicketkeeper-batsman reportedly wants captains to have a clear tenure and full authority to implement their strategies without administrative interference.
Clarification on T20I boycott: Rizwan has sought an explanation for his absence from Pakistan’s T20I setup from December 2024, and sought transparency over the selection decisions that saw him sidelined despite consistent domestic form.
These demands reflect not only their personal grievances but also broader dissatisfaction among senior players regarding the PCB’s handling of contracts, leadership appointments and team management.
See also: Babar Azam’s T20I comeback ended in a duck as South Africa beat Pakistan in Rawalpindi
Leadership change has increased Pakistan’s unrest
Rizwan’s frustration also stems from the recent captaincy changes, which saw him removed as Pakistan’s ODI captain in favor of Shaheen Afridi. The reshuffle, which comes amid Pakistan’s mixed results in the 2024-25 season, has reportedly created divisions within the dressing room and raised questions over the board’s long-term strategy.
While Shaheen Afridi is leading in the ODIs and Babar has been re-appointed as Test captain, Rizwan’s exclusion from T20Is and demotion from top contract status has added fuel to the growing tale of instability within Pakistan cricket.
Also read: PAK vs SA – Fans mercilessly troll Babar Azam after he gets out for silver duck during T20I comeback
