Pakistan’s cricket board has dropped its top category from central contracts for the 2025–26 season, effectively slashing salaries for former captain Babar Azam and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan.
The Pakistan Cricket Board said Tuesday it has eliminated Category A, leaving only Categories B, C and D with 10 players each. Babar and Rizwan, who were the only players in Category A last year, have been shifted to Category B, meaning their annual retainers will be reduced.
Currently, Category A players receive PKR 4.5 million per month, of which PKR 2.07 million is from the ICC share. Meanwhile, Category B players earn PKR 3 million, Category C players get PKR 1 million and Category D players receive PKR 750,000.
The new contract list includes 30 players, up from 27 last season. The contracts are valid from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026.
In another surprise, the board also unveiled its 17-member T20 squad for the Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates from Sept. 9-28, with middle-order batter Salman Ali Agha named captain. Neither Babar nor Rizwan was picked in the squad. (NewsWire)
