The 2025 UAE T20I Tri-Series kicked off with a bang as Pakistan clashed with Afghanistan in the opening match at the Sharjah Cricket Ground on Friday. In the toss update, Pakistan captain Salman Agha called correctly and chose to bat first, allowing his youthful side to test their batting powers against Afghanistan's established spin unit. 

For Pakistan, the tri-series has extra importance since it is their last rehearsal before the Asia Cup in 2025. The team has been in a state of transition since the last T20 World Cup and was trying out some new players, new combinations, and new strategies. Choosing to bat first indicates they want to put runs on the board and make Afghanistan chase under lights on a pitch that usually favours spin.

Rashid Khan backs spin attack as Afghanistan eye strong start in UAE Tri-Series ahead of Asia Cup 2025

Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan was pleased to bowl first, trusting in the team's ability with their spin-heavy arsenal to enforce pressure during the middle overs. Knowing they have beaten Pakistan in three of their last four T20I matches, Afghanistan will be confident with their record.

ALSO SEE: UAE Tri Series: AFG vs PAK Dream11 Prediction 1st Match match Fantasy Cricket Tips, Probable Playing XI

The tri-series between Afghanistan and Pakistan, along with the hosts U.A.E. will take place from August 29 - September 5, following a double round-robin format where the top two teams will advance to the finals on September 7; this will be a great opportunity for both teams to hone their skills ahead of the Asia Cup starting just two days after the final of this series.

Playing XIs

Pakistan XI: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha (c), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Haris (wk), Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Muqeem.

Afghanistan XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Karim Janat, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan (c), Mohammad Nabi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad.

Asia cup 2025 is scheduled to commence from September 9. All the six teams are vying for the coveted m trophy. Pakistan are placed in Group B alongside Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Hong Kong. Just before the Asia cup could start, Pakistan will be playing a tri-series against Afghanistan and United Arab Emirates. Before the tri-series could start, there was a press conference held, and the reporter termed Afghanistan as the second best team in Asia after India.

Listening to that comment Pakistan skipper, Salman Ali Aga gave an unusual expression as he smirked just after the question was asked. It is worth noting that Afghanistan has been a force to reckon with on the international stage off lately. They have beaten the mainstream teams in the recently concluded ICC tournaments. They even beat Pakistan in the World Cup 2023 and they have beaten teams like South Africa, and England on the world stages.

See Also: ‘Thinking what if they stamped on his foot….’- Coach revisits Virat Kohli’s influence on Delhi players during Ranji Trophy comeback

Watch the video here:

as ever, Salman Ali Agha’s facial expressions saying a lot more than his words ever will.. pic.twitter.com/TghQPez6vm

— Cani (@caniyaar) August 28, 2025

Pakistan, Afghanistan and UAE Tri-series schedule:

Schedule

Match 1: Afghanistan vs Pakistan on August 29 at 8:30 PM IST

Match 2: UAE vs Pakistan on August 30 at 8:30 PM IST

Match 3: UAE vs Afghanistan on September 1 at 8:30 PM IST

Match 4: Afghanistan vs Pakistan on September 2 at 8:30 PM IST

Match 5: UAE vs Pakistan on September 4 at 8:30 PM IST

Match 6: UAE vs Afghanistan on September 5 at 8:30 PM IST

Final: TBD vs TBD on September 7 at 8:30 PM IST.

The Asia Cup has long been regarded as the premier cricketing battle between Asian nations, delivering high-voltage contests filled with drama and unforgettable moments. From close finishes to surprising upsets, the tournament has always captured the passion of fans.

As anticipation grows for the next edition, the eight-team competition is set to unfold in the UAE from September 9 to 28. Fans in India can enjoy live cricket coverage exclusively on Sony Sports Network channels.

As excitement rises, it’s ideal to look back at the tournament’s most unforgettable encounters. Here’s a look back at 10 memorable encounters that showcase the spirit, intensity, and magic of the Asia Cup.

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10 Memorable Encounters of Asia Cup:

• India vs Sri Lanka - 1997 Final

The 1997 Asia Cup final at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo turned into a dominant performance by Sri Lanka. India set a respectable total of 239/7, with Mohammad Azharuddin leading the charge through a stylish knock of 81 runs.

In reply, Sri Lanka showcased both composure and authority with the bat. Marvan Atapattu anchored the chase with a fine 84, while Sanath Jayasuriya’s fluent 63 kept the scoreboard ticking. The hosts made light work of the target, finishing the game in just 36.5 overs with eight wickets in hand, sealing the title in emphatic fashion.

• India vs Pakistan - 2012

In yet another gripping India-Pakistan clash, both teams showcased outstanding performances. Pakistan seemed in control as Nasir Jamshed and Mohammad Hafeez struck centuries to build a strong total. However, the spotlight shifted dramatically when Virat Kohli produced a breathtaking 183, steering India’s chase with authority. Backed by Rohit Sharma’s steady 68, Kohli’s brilliance outshone Pakistan and guided India to a commanding, unforgettable triumph.

• Pakistan vs Bangladesh – 2012 Final

In a nail-biting final in Dhaka, Pakistan set a target of 236 runs. Bangladesh put up a spirited fight, keeping hopes alive of a historic title win. However, the chase ended heartbreakingly close, with the hosts falling short by only two runs. Pakistan’s bowlers displayed composure under immense pressure in the final overs, sealing a dramatic victory and lifting the trophy in one of the most thrilling Asia Cup finishes.

• India vs Pakistan - 2014

This unforgettable one-wicket clash remains one of cricket’s most dramatic moments, remembered for Shahid Afridi’s sensational finish. Chasing India’s 246, Pakistan looked in deep trouble, requiring two sixes from the final two deliveries. With nerves of steel, Afridi launched consecutive sixes off Ravichandran Ashwin, transforming what seemed like certain defeat into an electrifying victory, sparking wild celebrations and cementing his reputation as one of the game’s greatest finishers.

• Sri Lanka vs Pakistan - 2014

In a gripping group-stage encounter, momentum shifted constantly as both sides battled hard. Sri Lanka relied on a mix of steady batting and sharp bowling to stay ahead. Lahiru Thirimanne’s brilliant century anchored the innings, while Lasith Malinga’s devastating five-wicket haul sealed the deal. Despite Pakistan’s late fight, Sri Lanka held their nerve to secure a narrow 12-run win in a match filled with drama and intensity.

• Bangladesh vs Pakistan – 2014

In Mirpur, Bangladesh piled up an impressive 326 runs, powered by Anamul Haque’s brilliant century and crucial half-centuries from Imrul Kayes, Mominul Haque, and Mushfiqur Rahim. The total looked daunting, but Pakistan began their reply with confidence, as Ahmed Shehzad anchored the chase with a fine 103, keeping his side in contention.

The game, however, swung into high drama in the latter stages. Shahid Afridi unleashed a breathtaking assault, hammering 59 runs from just 25 deliveries to shift the momentum. His fearless hitting reignited Pakistan’s hopes, and despite tense moments, they crossed the line with three wickets remaining. The victory stood out as a stunning comeback, underlining Pakistan’s fighting spirit and explosive batting depth.

• India vs Sri Lanka – 2016

India delivered a dominant display in the final, combining steady batting with sharp, controlled bowling. Restricting Sri Lanka to just 138/9, the bowlers ensured constant pressure throughout the innings. Virat Kohli once again stood tall with the bat, scoring his third consecutive half-century against Sri Lanka. His composed knock guided India smoothly to victory, showcasing their balance and consistency as they claimed the title with confidence and authority.

• Bangladesh vs Pakistan - 2016

At the Shere Bangla Stadium in Dhaka, Pakistan managed only 130, with Al-Amin Hossain shining through with figures of 3/25. Bangladesh replied confidently, anchored by Soumya Sarkar’s steady 48 and Mahmudullah’s quick unbeaten 22 off 15 balls. They reached the target in 19.1 overs, sealing a five-wicket triumph. The victory not only boosted their confidence but also ensured their spot in the final, keeping their campaign alive.

• India vs Bangladesh – 2018 Final

In the thrilling Dubai final, Litton Das’s superb century guided Bangladesh to 222, while India’s tense chase faced constant hurdles with Bangladesh striking at crucial moments. The contest stayed tense throughout, keeping fans on edge until the very end, highlighting the drama and intensity of the Asia Cup finale.

Kedar Jadhav, battling a hamstring injury, played a composed and decisive knock that turned the game in India’s favor. His composure in crunch moments secured a thrilling three-wicket win on the last ball, clinching the championship title. The nail-biting finish had every element of drama, ensuring fans remained captivated until the very last ball.

• Sri Lanka vs India - 2022

Sri Lanka showcased their comeback spirit with a commanding display against India, sealing a six-wicket win. The bowlers set the tone early, with Dilshan Madushanka delivering an impressive 3/24 to restrict India’s batting momentum.

During the chase, Sri Lanka’s batters delivered under pressure. Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka anchored with steady fifties, while Bhanuka Rajapaksa and captain Dasun Shanaka applied the final flourish to secure victory. Their collective effort highlighted resilience and balance, earning a dramatic and well-deserved victory.

In 2010, the whole cricket integrity was rocked when the news of a huge spot-fixing scandal broke out involving three Pakistan internationals, including their skipper. For a significant amount of money, those cricketers agreed with a bookmaker to fix the match against England at Lord's cricket ground, and they did exactly the same according to the plan.

Then the skipper of Pakistan, Salman Butt, fast bowler Mohammad Asif, and a highly talented pacer, Mohammad Amir, were in the headlines with the allegations to spot-fix the Test match. The incident was staged during Pakistan's tour of England, specifically during the fourth Test match at Lord's.

The theory of a possible spot-fixing scandal started to revolve around no-balls at specific moments. Amir's no-ball was enough to raise the eyebrows. He overstepped the line by miles. An undercover sting operation led by News of the World, a British tabloid, exposed the whole episode and the main man behind the spot fixing. Along with three cricketers, another name started to float around every corner of the cricket world: Mazhar Majeed, a sports agent who had connections with the players.

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Involving cricketers received prison sentences 

Majeed orchestrated the dark episode of cricket history, and the cricketers did according to that. Footage from the sting operation emerged as one of the prime pieces of evidence against them. The International Cricket Council (ICC), with immediate effect, suspended the three players.

In November 2011, after a high-profile trial in London, all three players were found guilty of corruption and conspiracy to accept illegal payments. Salman Butt was sentenced to 30 months in prison, while Mohammad Asif went to jail for a year. Because of his young age and early confession, Mohammad Amir received a six-month prison sentence. 

ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 is scheduled to be held from 30 September - 2 November. The tournament will be conducted at the venues such as DY Patil Stadium (Mumbai), ACA Stadium (Guwahati), Holkar Stadium (Indore), ACA-VDCA Stadium (Visakhapatnam) and R. Premadasa Stadium (Colombo, Sri Lanka). All the teams are bracing for the marquee event and Pakistan have announced their squad for the same.

A 15-member squad was announced on August 25, led by Fatima Sana, for the upcoming women's ODI World Cup. It is worth noting that the same squad will play the three home ODIs against South Africa just before the World Cup 2025. The ODI series is commencing from September 16. Almost two weeks before the first game of the global tournament.

The 15 member squad and five reserve players will undergo a 14-day camp before the South Africa series, which will start from August 19. Pakistan will play their first World Cup game on October 2 against Bangladesh. They will further take on India on October 5. As there growing tensions between India and Pakistan, Pakistan will play all their seven league games in Colombo and including the semi-final, given they make it to the knockouts.

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Pakistan Women squad for ODI World Cup and South Africa ODIs

Fatima Sana (capt), Muneeba Ali (vice-capt), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Eyman Fatima, Nashra Sandhu, Natalia Pervaiz, Omaima Sohail, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz (wk), Syeda Aroob Shah

Non-traveling reserves: Gull Feroza, Najiha Alvi, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani, Waheeda Akhtar

India and Pakistan are set to renew their fierce cricket rivalry in the 2025 Asia Cup on September 14. The Group A meeting will be at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, and the tournament is scheduled to be held in the United Arab Emirates between the 9th to the 28th of September. It is possible, based on how the competition goes, that the two rivals could face each other vis-à-vis, up to three times in this time frame as well.

India enters the tournament, the most successful team in Asia Cup history. The Men in Blue have won the title eight times since the tournaments inception and are the defending champion. Under Rohit Sharma's leadership, India won the 2023 edition of the tournament in Sri Lanka, further reasserting their dominance in Asian cricket. Conversely, Pakistan has won the Asia Cup only twice, with their last Asia Cup championship coming in Bangladesh in 2012 - over a decade ago.

See Also: Afghanistan reveals schedule and dates for white-ball series against Bangladesh

The Asia Cup 2025 will be played in a T20 format, unlike its 2012 edition which was contested in the 50-over format. This heightens the excitement factor as teams seek to find their feet for the ICC T20 World Cup in the following year. As a preparation tournament for these teams, they will want to find a good balance between testing combinations as well as finding their best teams. For India and Pakistan, this time around, this match is not only about history but preparation for the big global stage.

Leadership is really important in this context. The Men in Blue is captained by Suryakumar Yadav, who is beginning his first major multinational assignment as captain. Salman Ali Agha leads Pakistan who is also making his captaincy debut in an Asia Cup. Both players do not have much experience leading their teams in such high-stress tournaments and they will face scrutiny over their captaincy. However, there is real opportunity for both players to stake a claim to their captaincy positions on the big stage.

India has always held a massive advantage over Pakistan, both in a historical context, and attitudinally - whenever they meet in a World Cup. However, the Asia has not always been the same - matches can be very intense and the results are often difficult to forget. T20 cricket also produces less margin error - leaving both teams to utilize every opportunity of scoring. As they prepare for this encounter, ardent cricket fans from all parts of the world await a new episode to one of cricket's regal rivalries.

IND vs PAK head-to-head record in Asia Cup

The table highlights the head-to-head record between India and Pakistan in both ODIs and T20Is across Asia Cup encounters. In ODIs, the two sides have clashed 15 times since their first meeting on April 13, 1984, with India winning eight games, Pakistan securing five, and two ending without a result.The last ODI encounter took place on September 10, 2023, is a reflection of the longstanding rivalry between the two nations that has characterized the Asia Cup since they began facing each other. 

In T20Is, the two teams have met three times starting on February 27, 2016. India has only lost one of these games; therefore, India has won two matches and Pakistan has only won one, and the results demonstrate India’s superiority in the shorter format of the game. Overall, India leads with a total of 10 wins playing Pakistan from a total of 18 matches, while Pakistan has managed to win six, with two games resulting in no result. Their matches are always some of the most high-profile games in world cricket, as they last played in September 2023.

The Asia Cup 2025 is around the corner, and the world gears up to see one of the most epic cricketing rivalries of this year. While most of the chatter has been around the teams and their respective players, there does not seem to be enough spotlight on the umpires. Throughout the history of the Asia Cup, the umpires have been at the epicenter of numerous controversies. 

Right from the inaugural edition, in some way or the other, and much to the ire of the fans, the game would often be plagued by erroneous umpiring decisions that would often become a subject of intense debate the very next day in the morning. Read on as we look back at the top five umpiring controversies that rocked the Asia Cup to its core (21st century). 

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1. Asif Ali deemed “Not Out” despite UltraEdge spike (Asia Cup 2022)

In a crucial Super Four match between India and Pakistan (2022), Asif Ali appeared to edge the ball, which was confirmed by a spike on UltraEdge. The incident occurred during the 18th over of the run chase when Ali attempted to pull the ball on the leg side. Bishnoi, the concerned bowler, thought there was a strong case for a caught behind and convinced his skipper to opt for the review. However, Asif was given a lifeline as the TV umpire ruled the decision in his favor and deemed it "Not Out". India captain Rohit Sharma visibly protested, but the ruling stood, and India ultimately lost the game dramatically on the second last ball of the game. 

2. Pathum Nissanka declared "Out" despite no UltraEdge spike (Asia Cup 2022)

In a group‐stage match between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan (2022), the former was rocked early by the loss of two early wickets inside the first over. Much to their agony, Sri Lankan opener Pathum Nissanka also followed suit in the next over as he was ruled caught behind, despite UltraEdge not recording any spike. The incident occurred off the bowling of Naveen ul Haq when the ball seemed to have shaped away early rather than getting deflected off the outside edge. Nissanka referred the decision upstairs in anticipation of it being overturned. But much to his surprise, the TV umpire Jayaraman Madanagopal upheld the on-field decision and ruled Nissanka out despite no visible spike on the UltraEdge meter. The entire Sri Lankan team was left stunned early in their innings, and as fate would have it, the island nation was blown away for just 106, thus paving the way for a crushing win for Afghanistan. 

3. Dhoni & Karthik adjudged LBW under controversial circumstances (Asia Cup 2018)

This game witnessed a few noticeable umpiring blunders that went against India. During a Super Four clash with Afghanistan (2018), both MS Dhoni and Dinesh Karthik were adjudged LBW out even though replays clearly showed the ball missing the stumps by a considerable margin. The duo were adjudged LBW by the on-field umpire Gregory Brathwaite of West Indies and Anisur Rahaman of Bangladesh. While Dhoni's dismissal seemed to be marginal, Karthik's LBW dismissal frustrated the Indian fans the most as the ball seemed to have missed the leg stump by a good couple of feet. India were set a modest target of 253 but these umpiring lapses ment that the game would end in a dramatic tie. At the post match presentation, Dhoni subtly criticized the errors, quipping, “can’t talk about a few things… don’t want to get fined,” underscoring his frustration.

4. Thisara Perera given out stumped despite replays showing otherwise (Asia Cup 2016)

In a tense 2016 match between India and Sri Lanka, Thisara Perera walked down the track and was given out stumped by on‑field umpires, even though replay angles suggested he had made his ground. It was during the 19th over of the Lankan innings that left everyone bemused. In a bid to outbox the pinch-hitter Perera, Ashwin bowled a wide delivery to get the ball beyond his hitting zone. Perera's plan to come down the track did not pay dividends as he completely missed the line of the ball. However, he made a timely recovery to get back into his crease right after completing the shot.  But Perera, back then, knew in his mind that he was a goner. Surprisingly, the decision wasn’t reviewed, and it stood as given. In the end, India earned a narrow five-wicket victory in the last over of the run chase. 

5. Khurram Manzoor given not out despite an obvious edge (Asia Cup 2016)

In the same edition of the 2016 Asia Cup, another umpiring controversy came to light. Pakistan's Khurram Manzoor survived a close call against India. He appeared to nick the ball off Ashish Nehra's bowling, but the umpire didn’t give him out, and no review was pursued. Even MS Dhoni confronted the umpire, yet the decision remained unchanged. The Indian captain had lost his cool by then, but the umpiring blunder did not hurt India's chances of emerging victorious in that game. A few balls later, Manzoor was run out by Virat Kohli. Wickets continued to tumble and Pakistan were bowled out for a shambolic 85. India, in reply, made a woeful start to their run chase as Mohammed Amir went rampant with the ball, reducing India to 8-3 inside the third over. But Kohli's laboured 49 (51) on a difficult batting track earned him a lot of praise as India were able to comfortably get over the line by five wickets with 27 balls to spare. 

In a significant stride for Pakistan cricket, E&Y has been appointed by an independent third-party to assess the Pakistan Super League(PSL) and franchises. E&Y (Ernst & Young) is recognized as one of the largest audit firms in the world, and they are set to begin the work in the next few days. E&Y's report will be important since it will help determine new franchise fees and finances associated with the league. 

The PSL recently completed its first 10 years, and six existing franchises' current contracts are up for renewal. Based on estimates, a minimum increase of 25 percent from their current franchise fees can be expected. Before starting the process, the PCB had asked for bids from audit firms, and many made initial submissions to the board; however, only one firm, E&Y, made the financial bid. After clearing all obstacles, the PCB and E&Y confirmed their appointment.

The audit firm will be provided a six-week time period starting next month to complete the assignment and report its findings. It will be collecting financial documents from the PCB and the franchises. The teams are not required to disclose their accounts, and anything less than transparency could be costly, since the audit firm will be estimating operating results, and it may not be to the franchises' liking. Technically, each franchise is expected to submit yearly accounts to the PCB, but few actually do.

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PCB awaits valuation report amid delays in PSL operations

That report is expected next month, in October, and when the valuations come in, the PCB will establish revised fees for franchises as well as the two franchises that will likely be added in the next cycle of the tournament.

Concerns still remain regarding the pace of league operations under Salman Naseer. Franchises have repeatedly raised issues with the pace of decision-making in the league and a lack of progress on commercial agreements. Even the official dates for the 11th edition have yet to be released, as we were given an earlier timeline for when that would be!

The 10th season of the PSL took place in its April-May window and saw Lahore Qalandars defeat Quetta Gladiators in the final to win their third title. As this whole situation unfolds, the next point of focus will be what the valuation numbers ultimately look like, which could define the next era of the league.

The Asia Cup 2025 is knocking on the door, where India will play to defend their title. Along with India, Pakistan cricket will be there to prove themselves. For this edition of the Asia Cup, a total of 8 teams will be in the race for the glory. Out of nowhere, the head coach of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) issued a warning for both India and Pakistan, the two Asian cricket giants.

UAE head coach Lalchand Rajput does not want to treat them as the underdog of the tournament. They are preparing for the tournament after registering notable wins over test-playing nations Bangladesh and Afghanistan. The coach warned the big teams of the tournament by saying that they are heading towards the contest to fight for every inch of the field. 

"The crucial phase is beginning for the UAE team. Beating test-playing countries, especially Bangladesh, gave us a lot of confidence. It’s not about overconfidence; it’s about believing we can compete and win against anyone. You never know; anything can happen. We can upset any team," Rajput said during a recent interview. 

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Aim for bigger upsets!

Rajput tries to put focus on the mindset and the fitness of his boys. He emphasized fitness, skill, and fielding to perform at the highest order against the strong opponents. By keeping their momentum in a rhythm, the UAE cricket team is hoping to pull out upsets in the Asia Cup 2025. 

"We are focusing on skills, fitness, and fielding. Playing against better teams requires players to be mentally strong and physically fit. Fitness is very important. Players’ improvement and form are essential. They cannot remain stagnant. We want to keep building on the momentum. If you can beat a team like Bangladesh, why not aim for bigger upsets? Our players are excited and ready to take that challenge," he added.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has released the list of central contracts for male cricketers, awarding contracts to 30 players for the 2025-26 season, which will run from the 1st of July 2025, to June 30, 2026, for all international cricket scheduled within the preferred window of January 1 to December 31.

In a major move, no player has been put in Category A, and 2023 Men’s ODI World Cup captain Babar Azam has been downgraded, with wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan to Category B, while almost everyone from the cricketing fraternity has reacted negatively.

Widening the pool

The PCB has cast a wider net this season, increasing the size of the list from 27 contracts to 30 contracts this time. In total, 12 players have been honoured from the new list, highlighting the commitment of the Board to invest in new players for the age-grade levels for the future.

The new contracts are Ahmed Daniyal, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Mirza, and Sufyan Moqim.

Promotions and Retentions

Strong performances both domestically and internationally have resulted in five players being promoted from Category C to B:

• Abrar Ahmed
• Haris Rauf
• Saim Ayub
• Salman Ali Agha
• Shadab Khan

Nine players have retained their positions, including Shaheen Shah Afridi (B), Abdullah Shafique, Saud Shakeel, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan (C), Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, and Mohammad Abbas Afridi (D).

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Players who missed out

Eight players have been disappointed this year, losing their contracts, including Aamir Jamal, Haseebullah, Kamran Ghulam, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Muhammad Irfan Khan, and Usman Khan, who were in Category D last season.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has awarded central contracts to 30 male cricketers for the upcoming 2025–26 international season. No A Category, Babar, Rizwan and Shaheen fail to retain A category, test captain Shan Masood in D category. Shadab promoted. The contracts,…

— Abdul Majid Bhatti (@bhattimajid) August 19, 2025

Complete list of contracted players for 2025-26

Category B (10 players): Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Rizwan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi

Category C (10 players): Abdullah Shafique, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Sahibzada Farhan, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel

Category D (10 players): Ahmed Daniyal, Hussain Talat, Khurram Shahzad, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Salman Mirza, Shan Masood, Sufyan Moqim

The lack of a Category A group and the relegation of the highest-profile cricketers from Pakistan represent a daring and controversial action on the part of the PCB. The 2025-26 season has already given fingers crossed for a packed schedule, and we are left to consider the aftermath - how this new structure will affect team dynamics and player performance going forward.