End of an Era! Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan Shocked in PCB's New Contracts List

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has released its central contract list for the 2025-26 international season, awarding 30 male cricketers. This year, 12 fresh faces will join the national setup, reflecting the Board’s focus on nurturing the emerging players and talent in Pakistan. However, the biggest news was the demotion of two star cricketers - Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan.

Both Babar and Rizwan were in Category A previous year but have been pushed down to Category B now. Five players have earned promotion to the higher categories, and no players were selected in Category A this year for the PCB central contracts 2025 List, which is quite strange.

Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan Demoted in PCB Central Contracts 2025

The PCB central contracts 2025 list covers three categories, B, C, and D, with no player selected for Category A. The PCB has structured this to balance performance, potential, and squad readiness for the upcoming international fixtures. This PCB central contracts list will be effective from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026.

Babar Azam couldn’t retain his spot in the category A and has been demoted to category B. The same case is with Mohammad Rizwan, who is one of the best wicketkeepers in the world currently. It seems like things are not going right for the star Pakistani players. Both of them were earlier excluded from the Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 squad as well.

Previously part of the elite Category A, both players have been moved to Category B due to a recent decline in their form. This demotion comes after Babar Azam was overlooked for the Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 squad. Many consider this move as the “end of an era” for the duo, signaling a new phase in Pakistan Cricket where emerging talent is being prioritized over veteran players.

Full PCB Central Contracts List 2025-26

While Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan faced demotion, the PCB has recognized the performances of several young and promising players. Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, and Shadab Khan have been promoted from Category C to Category B after impressive performances in recent series and matches.

New entrants like Hasan Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan, and left-arm pacer Sufyan Moqim have also earned a place in PCB central contracts 2025, reflecting PCB’s strategy to nurture fresh talents and ensure the team’s competitiveness in future international matches.

Eight players have missed out on contracts this year. They are: Aamir Jamal, Haseebullah, Kamran Ghulam, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Muhammad Irfan Khan, and Usman Khan – all in Category (D). This categorization highlights PCB’s approach to maintaining a balance between experienced players and upcoming talent.

Babar Azam's New PCB Salary & Contract Implications

With the demotion to Category B, Babar Azam PCB salary will reflect the revised contract structure. While exact figures are not officially disclosed, Category B contracts typically offer slightly lower income and match fees compared to the elite Category A, though they still provide a significant financial reward and security for international players.

Although Babar has been demoted, he remains one of the best batters in the world. However, this change would be more like a reminder to work upon his form and consistent performance to regain the top category in the future. The PCB Central Contracts 2025 announcement underscores a broader trend in Pakistani cricket, which is now focused more on building new players rather than sticking with veteran players with poor performances and decline in their performances.