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.

Great news has come in for Pakistan’s women cricketers as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a significant rise in their monthly retainers. Under the new central contracts, female players will receive a 50% salary increase, marking a big step forward for women’s cricket in the country.

This boost not only adds value to the players' efforts but also reflects the board’s recognition of their growing contributions to the sport. It shows a clear commitment towards supporting women athletes and encouraging them to continue performing at a high level.

With better financial support, the players are likely to feel more motivated and confident. This increase will inspire greater enthusiasm, determination, and focus, helping them represent the country with pride and work even harder to achieve success on the international stage.

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Rise in Salary for Pakistan Women's Cricket Team:

Pakistan’s women’s central contracts were recently finalized through a joint effort by the women’s selection committee and head coach Mohammad Wasim, marking an important step for the team’s future. These contracts will be effective retrospectively from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, and the 50% pay raise will apply across all contract categories.

The announcement is timely, with Pakistan’s women’s cricket team preparing for a busy and challenging schedule ahead. They are set to take part in two major ICC tournaments — the ODI World Cup in September-October 2025 and the T20 World Cup in June-July 2026. In addition, the team will compete in several bilateral series, both at home and on international tours.

Which Player is in Which Category?

Central Contract Category A: Fatima Sana, Muneeba Ali, Sadia Iqbal, and Sidra Amin

Category B: Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, and Nashra Sandhu

Category C: Rameen Shamim

Category D: Gull Feroza, Najiha Alvi, Natalia Parvaiz, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sidra Nawaz, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani, and Waheeda Akhtar

Category E: Eyman Fatima and Shawaal Zulfiqar

Sadia Iqbal, the top-ranked bowler in ICC Women’s T20I rankings, received the biggest promotion, moving up to Category A along with Fatima Sana, Muneeba Ali, and Sidra Amin. Fast bowler Diana Baig was upgraded to Category B, while off-spinner Rameen Shamim moved to Category C and is currently the only player placed in that category.

Aliya Riaz, who was not offered a central contract last year, makes a comeback this time in Category B. Meanwhile, Nida Dar remains absent from the contracts list. She had taken an indefinite break from cricket in April following a dip in form and strained relations with the current PCB management, which impacted her selection.

This year, the PCB has introduced a new fifth tier called Category E, specifically created to support and develop young talent. Labeled as the Emerging category, it aims to provide a platform for promising players to grow within the national setup.

Eyman Fatima, yet to make her international debut, and Shawaal Zulfiqar, who has appeared in three ODIs and seven T20Is, have been placed in the new Emerging category. Both players were part of Pakistan’s squad in the 2023 ICC Women’s U-19 World Cup and are currently representing the team in the ongoing T20I series in Ireland.

This year, Category D includes ten players, with fresh additions like Natalia Parvaiz, Sidra Nawaz, and Waheeda Akhtar.Their inclusion highlights the PCB’s effort to broaden opportunities and strengthen the depth of talent in the national women’s squad.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has strongly denied any claims of a dispute between Shaheen Afridi, Salman Agha, and director Mike Hesson. The board emphasized that these claims are completely false and hold no truth.

In a statement, the PCB described the allegations as not only baseless but also damaging to the individuals involved and the overall image of Pakistan cricket. The board made it clear that such stories have no factual support and appear to be deliberately spread to create controversy.

The PCB also warned that it would take strong legal steps against those responsible for circulating these rumors. They reiterated their commitment to maintaining team unity and protecting the reputation of both players and officials from false media narratives.

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PCB Denies Reports of Dispute Between Shaheen Afridi and Salman Agha:

A social media post recently claimed that Mike Hesson and Salman Ali Agha were unhappy with Shaheen Afridi’s behavior, which quickly gained attention. The issue was brought to PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, but the board has firmly denied the claims, labeling the reports as completely false and without any credibility.

The Pakistan Cricket Board urged media platforms to act responsibly and verify facts before sharing news. It emphasized the importance of caution and requested that unverified reports not be circulated, especially those that could damage reputations or disrupt team harmony. The board also called for more responsible journalism in matters related to the national team.

As per India Today, in an official statement PCB said,” The PCB affirms that no such incident has occurred at any point during training or practice sessions. These malicious rumours are entirely fictitious and appear to have been deliberately concocted with clear malafide intent to sow discord within the national squad.”

They further said, “ The PCB considers this a serious and premeditated defamation campaign, which is aimed at damaging the professional integrity of the individuals targeted and the collective environment of the squad. Any persons found complicit in propagating these claims will be held fully accountable under applicable laws. The PCB remains committed to protecting its players, staff, and the sanctity of the national team from unwarranted and harmful speculation.”

Pakistan is set to face West Indies in a white-ball series, starting with three T20 Internationals followed by three One Day Internationals. The upcoming tour will provide both teams with valuable match practice and a chance to fine-tune their squads ahead of major international tournaments.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is facing serious questions after the Auditor General of Pakistan published an atrocious audit report revealing corruption, financial discrepancies, and very poor management of the PCB during 2023. The report outlines millions of rupees due to spending not supported by PCB approvals, dubious appointments, and questionable contracts entered into during the tenures of Mohsin Naqvi and Zaka Ashraf.

The biggest red flag revealed was the mishandling of 63.39 million Pakistani rupees that were disbursed to police for food while they were on duty, providing security for international matches. There were no contracts or any other documented evidence for this disbursement. In a related matter, the audit also pointed out that the board spent 19.8 million rupees on diesel for transporting soldiers in bulletproof vehicles and that they spent 4.17 million rupees on personal utility bills when directly attributed to Naqvi himself, which was clearly against government policy.

PCB Involved in Deceptive Hires and Irregular Payments

According to the audit, three under-16 coaches were employed at the Karachi High-Performance Centre through an informal hiring process costing the board 5.4 million rupees. The board also paid 3.9 million rupees too much to match officials, amongst dichotomous requirements of match-fixing and limited oversight. There was also a Media Director position for 900,000 rupees a month, and vehicles (coasters) bought by PCB for transportation without the approval of the board, which totaled 22.5 million rupees.

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The audit criticized PCB for awarding ticketing contracts and media rights contracts outside of equal bidding or even considering competing tenders. The media rights deal with the board, which valued the deal at 198 million rupees, was a total loss compared to the market value. The contracts have again increased transparency and accountability, and have raised public uproar for more governance and accountability.

Chairman Mohsin Naqvi Under Scrutiny

Current PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan's Interior Minister, is at the center of these corruption allegations. His dual role has sparked concern, and while his ministerial status gives him legal protection, public pressure is mounting.

Fans and critics have already been questioning the board’s leadership after Pakistan’s early exit from the Champions Trophy and the frequent changes in the coaching staff. This audit has further damaged the PCB's reputation.

Highlights:
- 63.39 million rupees wasted on police catering.
- 5.4 million rupees spent on wrongful coaching appointments.
- Media Director employed at 900,000 rupees/month without a public appointment.
- 198 million rupees wasted on a misplaced media rights deal.
- Chairman Naqvi, in the spotlight for abusing 4.17 million rupees of public money.

The Pakistani government is likely to investigate further and may follow up with legal repercussions. Cricket fans and stakeholders in Pakistan are demanding a greater level of transparency and accountability from the PCB and reforms to ensure the future of Pakistan cricket.

Hijab Zahid has been reappointed as Senior Manager of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), reiterating her central position in one of Pakistan's most prominent sporting assets. Her reappointment indicates stability and a fresh emphasis on the development and transformation of the league.

The reappointment of Hijab has been welcomed by all within the cricket fraternity, especially those who have witnessed the growth of the PSL in terms of stature over the last few years. She had the position for a few seasons earlier, during which the PSL established itself as a successful commercial and internationally followed franchise-based T20 league.

Most respected for her professionalism and dedication towards developing the league, Hijab has had a major role in simplifying PSL operations, enhancing its online reach, and helping it gain more fans globally as well as locally. Her knowledge of the cricket ecosystem along with event management and strategic communication skills has made her an integral part of the PCB.

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Hijab Zahid's Return Brings Stability and Fresh Plans for PSL

This reappointment is timely for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which is in the process of structural reforms and looking to revive its domestic and international cricket structure. With the PSL seeking to capitalize on recent achievements and increase its brand value, Hijab's return provides leadership continuity and institutional memory that should be critical to planning and implementation processes in the future.

Sources familiar with the PCB indicate that Hijab's new term would see more focus on digital innovation, overseas partnerships, and a new brand approach for the PSL. There is also speculation building that the league could look to new grounds and formats in upcoming seasons, changes that would most likely come under her strategic umbrella.

With the upcoming season of the PSL already on the drawing board, Hijab Zahid's firm hand and tested leadership may be crucial to making sure that the league keeps improving in standing and keeps pace with other international T20 competitions. Her comeback is a clear indication of the PCB's desire to blend experience with forward-thinking in charting the future of the PSL.

In a major development, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially axed the Champions Cup tournament, with the curtain coming down suddenly on a competition that was launched barely last year as part of a broader domestic cricket restructuring.

Launched in 2024 amid great fanfare, the Champions Cup was supposed to bring a fresh dose of competitiveness to Pakistan's domestic cricket landscape. Five city-based sides took part in the first season, each guided by a high-profile retired international cricketer: Saqlain Mushtaq, Waqar Younis, Misbah-ul-Haq, Shoaib Malik, and Sarfaraz Ahmed. These coaches were hired through what the PCB described as a "competitive and transparent" procedure and were ostensibly offered five million rupees each month contracts on three-year contracts.

But barely more than a year into its operation, the tournament is now put on the back burner. PCB sources indicate that the decision was made after an in-house review that examined the overall effect of the Champions Cup and mentorship approach. The results indicated that the competition did not succeed in its fundamental aims, including enhancing performance standards and fan appeal. As a consequence, the tournament has been removed from the 2025–26 domestic schedule, and the mentorship program has been abolished as well.

The first to resign from his position as mentor was Shoaib Malik, and this prompted internal debates that ultimately convinced the PCB to end the relationships with the remaining mentors.

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PCB Ditches Champions Cup, Restores Emphasis on Conventional Domestic Cricket

The Champions Cup, which had been called a low-budget imitation of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) by some critics, was regarded by most as a publicity stunt rather than a substantial contribution to home cricket.

While this has been happening, the PCB has also turned its attention towards traditional formats with a new domestic framework based on the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. The season in 2025–26 will start off with the Hanif Mohammad Trophy on August 15, with games being played across Karachi, Multan, Bahawalpur, and Rahim Yar Khan. The Quaid-e-Azam Trophy will start on September 22 and include eight teams in an even more performance-focused framework. With the Champions Cup now in the past, the PCB seems to be going back to basics, prioritizing quality and content over style.

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) is on the verge of being left out of the inaugural World Clubs T20 Championship, a highly anticipated global tournament set to launch next year with backing from the International Cricket Council (ICC) and its chairman Jay Shah. The exclusion has sparked widespread criticism, with many blaming the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for a major oversight.

According to inside sources, the PSL champions likely contenders such as Lahore Qalandars or Multan Sultans will not be invited to participate in the event after PCB failed to attend a key planning meeting held on the sidelines of the Cricket Connect Summit in London. The meeting was hosted by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and included CEOs of major T20 leagues like the BBL, SA20, CPL, The Hundred, ILT20, and MLC.

“The PCB was invited to send the CEO of PSL to the meeting, but no one showed up,” a source revealed. This absence reportedly hurt Pakistan’s position in discussions surrounding the event's format, schedule, and long-term vision. The inaugural edition is expected to feature five teams excluding IPL franchises for now, despite the BCCI’s backing, and mirror the model of the defunct Champions League T20.

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PSL Faces Global Exclusion Amid Saudi League Pressure

While Saudi Arabia’s proposed $400 million cricket league looms large in the background, the World Clubs Championship appears to be a counter-move, fast-tracked to establish a unified global franchise competition before Saudi plans materialize.

In the meantime, Pakistan is experiencing internal strife. Ali Tareen, the owner of the Multan Sultans, has publicly criticized the PCB for making "misleading" statements regarding PSL 10, pointing to problems with viewership, attendance, and poor management.

With the global T20 schedule changing quickly and Pakistan's cricket ecosystem coming under more scrutiny, this latest omission could be a serious blow to the PSL's reputation abroad.

Pakistan Super League (PSL) will have a drastic transformation in its 11th season, which will be held in 2026.  PSL 11 will once again clash with the Indian Premier League (IPL), and this will send a few eyebrows into a flutter in the world of international cricket.

The PCB seems keen to adhere to its March-May timeline irrespective of ongoing talks regarding avoiding scheduling clashes with the IPL. The two major leagues will again clash this year, which may create problems regarding international player availability and broadcasting commitments.

But the PSL is not giving up. It is gearing up for its best season so far, with plans to take the competition to eight franchises. Two more franchises will take the competition and viewer interest to the next level, and also offer opportunities for new local players to emerge.

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PSL 11 to have extra teams, venues, and matches as PCB is looking to make big expansion despite conflict with IPL

The competition will also see an increase in matches and venues. PSL 11 will be played in more cities across Pakistan, with Peshawar and Quetta being among the cities expected to be competing to host the matches, something aimed at taking world-class cricket to the less-represented regions. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is also weighing the neutral venue option, specifically in the UAE or other cricketing-friendly countries, to manage logistics and weather risk.

The expansion decision by the PSL comes after its consolidation at the international level of the T20 league. With eight franchises now, enthusiasts can look forward to much more thrilling cricket in the league that is famous for powerful bowling attacks and closely contested matches.

PSL 11 will be a landmark season because of these events, both for Pakistani cricket and the league's reputation globally. Only time will tell if it will be able to compete in an IPL match, but whatever happens, one thing is certain: 2026 will be a big year.

Recently, a training camp with Pakistani cricketer Iftikhar Ahmed has sparked backlash after a video made the rounds of him training without a shirt on a cricket field. The video had gotten out on social media very quickly and was viewed by numerous people who saw Iftikhar performing rigorous fitness training without his shirt on—an event that questioned player safety while training as well as professionalism as a member of the team. 

What some considered either a humorous or traumatic fitness routine resulted in serious health and image issues for others. A medical professional commented on social media, "Practicing without a shirt is dangerous in open conditions—with exposure, heat, and risk of dehydration." Fans added to the conversations—while most people who viewed the video suggested this behavior should not be part of any team training session, they accused the manager, coaching staff, and/or support staff of not having a clear-cut and standard process regarding training protocols for players under their supervision.

Training in hot conditions without a shirt will also raise the risk of a heat-related incident, sunburn, and eventually fatigue if athletes do not manage their hydration and protection correctly. Critics were of the view that athletes, especially at the international level, have a standard of discipline and responsibility not only for themselves but also to provide an example for young aspiring players. While some fans supported the cricketer's decision as a matter of comfort during physically intense drills, the majority were concerned about the image and professionalism it presented.

@IftiMania practicing without wearing a shirt. Has he lost his Mind? Is there NO accountability in @TheRealPCB? As a doctor I can tell you how dangerous this can be.#PakistanCricket I #IftikharAhmad pic.twitter.com/OTfjCWFYpD

— Pakistan Cricket Team USA FC (@DoctorofCricket) July 4, 2025

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Continued Concerns Regarding Fitness Culture and Management Standards

The incident raised greater questions about the fitness culture and management standards within the national setup. Many people felt that permitting players to train without the right attire and without protection set a poor example of the professionalism of the team environment.

A number of fans and pundits suggested that training in a supervised structured plan is essential for first-class/tier athletes. Regardless of whether Iftikhar's training was spontaneous or a habit, it raises the importance of supervision, coaching, structured training, and achieving standards on and off the field—especially as we lead up to important international commitments.

Pakistan has appointed experienced Australian fielding expert Shane McDermott as their all-format fielding coach ahead of the upcoming T20I tour of Bangladesh. McDermott, known for his technical acumen and global experience, has been recommended by Pakistan’s new white-ball head coach, Mike Hesson. He is expected to join the team before the start of the three-match T20I series. An official announcement from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is likely later this week, according to a report by Telecom Asia Sport.

The 44-year-old McDermott holds a High Performance Level Three Coaching Certificate and has been part of various coaching setups across international and domestic cricket. He has worked with Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Cricket Australia, Western Australia Cricket Association, and Cricket Tasmania. McDermott's international experience provides a distinct advantage to Pakistan as they move to strengthen their squad as they work towards their busy schedule.

Between 2022 and 2023, McDermott served as Bangladesh’s assistant fielding coach but stepped down due to differences with then-head coach Chandika Hathurusinghe. Prior to that, he spent three years as fielding coach of Sri Lanka’s senior men’s team and also worked with the Sri Lanka A squad. Most recently, he was with Afghanistan during their impressive run to the semi-finals of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, earning acclaim for improving the team’s fielding standards.

McDermott Brings Global Experience to Strengthen Pakistan's Backroom Staff

After leaving Bangladesh, McDermott was subsequently appointed to Afghanistan's coaching staff, where his expertise heavily contributed to Afghanistan's first World Cup campaign in June 2024. His coaching was credited with honing several of the Afghan fielding unit's skills during high-stakes, pressured matches.

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Earlier in his career, McDermott held various roles with Cricket Australia from 2012 to 2019, including interim assistant and fielding coach, and also served as analyst and fielding coach for the Australia A team. Meanwhile, Pakistan is preparing for a busy calendar, starting with the tour of Bangladesh and followed by a five-match T20I series in the West Indies. Earlier this week, PCB appointed Azhar Mahmood as acting Test head coach and is expected to name Salman Agha as all-format captain, replacing Shan Masood and Mohammad Rizwan in Tests and ODIs, respectively.