PCB Reveals Central Contracts 2025–26, Category A Left Empty

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has unveiled central contracts for 30 male cricketers for the 2025–26 international season, bringing notable shifts in categories and fresh faces into the setup.

The contracts, running from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, reflect the Board’s continued focus on rewarding national talent while expanding squad depth. Unlike previous years, no player has been placed in Category A this cycle.

Compared to last year’s roster of 27, the PCB has increased the number to 30, including 12 new entrants:
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.

Five players have earned promotions for their performances in the previous season. Moving from Category C to B are: Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, and Shadab Khan.

Nine players have retained their positions:

• Category C: Abdullah Shafique, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel

• Category D: Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Wasim Jnr

• Category B: Shaheen Shah Afridi

Meanwhile, eight players who were part of last year’s contracts have missed out this time: Aamir Jamal, Haseebullah, Kamran Ghulam, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Muhammad Irfan Khan, and Usman Khan.

Centrally 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

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