LAHORE (Kashmir English): The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has granted central contracts to 30 male players for the coming international season in 2025–26.
The contracts from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, are an extension of the Board’s ongoing pursuit of rewarding and nurturing national talent.
This year’s squad features ten players allocated in Categories B, C, and D. Of note, no player has been named for Category A for this cycle.
In comparison to last year’s roster of 27 players contracted, the PCB has increased the pool to 30 with 12 new additions, testament to the development of exciting new talent and the Board’s strategy in addressing squad depth and future planning.
Newcomers in PCB
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 were given a promotion based on their performances last year. They include Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, and Shadab Khan, all being promoted from the C to the B category.
Apart from that, nine players have been retained in the same categories. They include:
Abdullah Shafique (Category C), Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Wasim Jnr – all Category D, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel – all Category C, and Shaheen Shah Afridi (Category B).
Eight players have been left out of contracts this season. They are: Aamir Jamal, Haseebullah, Kamran Ghulam, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Muhammad Irfan Khan, and Usman Khan – all Category (D).
List of centrally contacted players of the year
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 Sufyan Moqim
