Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan drop from Category A to Category B as 12 new players are added to Pakistan's men's central contract list for 2025/26.

The Pakistan Cricket Board's latest central contracts for 2025-26 have stirred controversy by demoting Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan to Category B, while no player was placed in Category A. Salman Ali Agha,

Pakistan’s Asia Cup 2025 squad sparks controversy as Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan are dropped over strike rate concerns, while captain Agha Salman’s weaker numbers expose glaring hypocrisy in team selection.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced new central contracts for the 2025-26 season, notably excluding Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan from Category A.

Kamran Akmal had recently asked for Babar Azam to be dropped from all white-ball formats, but made a massive U-turn after the former Pakistan captain was not included in the squad for Asia Cup 2025.

Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam has been told to improve his batting against spin and boost his overall strike rate to be considered for Twenty20 Internationals, coach Mike Hesson said.