The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced its new list of centrally contracted players for the upcoming 2025–26 international season. The contracts will be effective from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, and the board has made a conscious effort to recognise local talent and give them an opportunity.
The categories have been classified as B, C and D categories. Notably, none of the players have been put into category A among the ones selected. Compared to the last cycle, where 27 players were included, this year the PCB has extended that list to 30 players with the focus to give chances to young talent and the board’s strategic focus on squad depth and future development.
The new players who have found an entry in the list are Ahmed Daniyal, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Mirza and Sufiyan Muqeem.
PCB's Newly Announced Contracted List
Five players have been promoted to category B from C based on their performance in the last cycle. They are Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha and Shadab Khan.
Nine players have been retained in the same category, namely, Abdullah Shafique (Category C), Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Wasim Jnr – all in Category D, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel – all in Category C and Shaheen Shah Afridi (Category B). Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan’s pillars in white-ball cricket, are both placed in Group B and have been reportedly demoted.
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List of Centrally Contracted Players For 2025-26 Season
Category B (10 players): Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Rizwan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan and 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 and 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 and Sufiyan Muqeem.
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