Pakistan’s wicketkeeper-batter 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 concerns over the recent captaincy reshuffle within the national team.
Rizwan’s decision has stirred a major debate in Pakistan cricket circles, as he remains the only player out of 30 yet to agree to the new deal, underscoring growing tensions between senior players and the PCB’s new administrative approach.
PCB restructures central contracts, demotes senior players
In a move aimed at overhauling its pay structure and performance evaluation, the PCB recently announced a revamped central contract system, abolishing the elite Category A – previously reserved for top performers like Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi and Rizwan.
Under the new structure, all senior players have been grouped under Category B, a decision widely seen as a reprimand for 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 formats, reportedly communicated his displeasure directly to the PCB, stating that he will not sign the contract unless his concerns are addressed.
Rizwan’s key demands to the PCB
According to multiple reports, Rizwan has outlined three key demands before agreeing to sign the contract:
Reinstating Category A for senior players: Rizwan insists that the PCB should restore the top pay grade to recognize the long-standing contributions and stature of senior players like himself, Babar Azam, and Shaheen Afridi.
Greater autonomy for captains: The wicketkeeper-batter reportedly wants captains to have a clear tenure and full authority to implement their strategies without administrative interference.
Clarification on T20I exclusion: Rizwan has sought an explanation for his absence from Pakistan’s T20I setup since December 2024, demanding transparency on selection decisions that sidelined him despite consistent domestic form.
These demands reflect not only his personal grievances but also the broader discontent among senior players regarding PCB’s handling of contracts, leadership appointments, and team management.
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Leadership changes add to Pakistan’s turmoil
Rizwan’s frustration also stems from recent captaincy changes, which saw him being removed as Pakistan’s ODI captain in favour of Shaheen Afridi. The reshuffle, coming amid Pakistan’s mixed results in the 2024-25 season, has reportedly created divisions within the dressing room and raised questions about the board’s long-term strategy.
While Shaheen Afridi continues to lead in ODIs and Babar was reappointed as Test captain, Rizwan’s exclusion from T20Is and demotion from top contractual status have added fuel to the growing narrative of instability within Pakistan cricket.
