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Followers react after PCB demotes Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan in central contracts for 2025–26 – SportsNews


Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) announcement of central contracts for the 2025–26 season has despatched shockwaves by the cricketing fraternity. On the coronary heart of the storm is the demotion of two of Pakistan’s most celebrated cricketers, Babar Azam and Muhammad Rizwan, from the celebrated Class A to Class B. The choice, arriving simply days after their controversial exclusion from Pakistan’s Asia Cup 2025 squad, marks a seismic shift in Pakistan cricket’s path and has sharply divided followers on social media.

Babar Azam & Muhammad Rizwan demoted within the PCB central contracts

For years, Azam and Rizwan stood because the faces of Pakistan’s batting order, dominating throughout codecs and persistently carrying the nation’s hopes. Their fall from grace is nothing wanting dramatic. As soon as the one two gamers in Class A, the duo now discover themselves grouped with Class B names reminiscent of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, and promising spinner Abrar Ahmed.

The choice stems from a shift in philosophy. Chief selector Aqib Javed has overtly criticized the duo’s T20I strike charges — Babar’s 129 and Rizwan’s 125 — arguing that they now not match into Pakistan’s new “aggressive cricket” blueprint. With neither that includes in T20Is since late 2024, their omission from the Asia Cup and subsequent contract downgrade feels just like the PCB drawing a definitive line below an period.

The backlash has been swift. Followers query whether or not the PCB acted too harshly, whereas former pacer Tanveer Ahmed has even prompt the pair think about retirement in the event that they really feel disrespected, evaluating their predicament to how Virat Kohli rigorously managed his profession transitions.

Breaking down the contracts: Cash, standing, and recognition

Central contracts in Pakistan cricket are greater than a paycheck — they’re a marker of standing, recognition, and affect. Historically, Class A contracts, price PKR 4.5 million monthly (approx. $15,590), have been reserved for the nation’s true superstars. In contrast, Class B contracts present PKR 3 million month-to-month, with Classes C and D ranging between PKR 0.75 million to 1.5 million.

Along with salaries, centrally contracted gamers additionally obtain a 3% share of the PCB’s annual ICC income distribution, additional reinforcing the status connected to those offers.

The 2025–26 listing, nevertheless, indicators sweeping change. For the primary time in current reminiscence, no participant occupies Class A. The PCB has as a substitute chosen to unfold recognition extra broadly, increasing the pool from 27 to 30 gamers. Twelve new names, together with Ahmed Daniyal, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Abbas, and Sufyan Moqim, have earned maiden contracts. In the meantime, performers like Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, and Shadab Khan have been rewarded with promotions from Class C to B.

On the similar time, eight gamers from the earlier cycle — together with Aamir Jamal, Kamran Ghulam, and Usman Khan — misplaced their contracts altogether, underlining the ruthlessness of Pakistan’s present choice coverage.

Probably the most telling sign, nevertheless, is the deliberate absence of any Class A gamers. By eliminating the highest bracket, the PCB seems intent on avoiding untouchable superstars and reinforcing a merit-based system, regardless of how huge a participant’s previous contributions have been.

Additionally READ: 3 key the explanation why Pakistan’s exclusion of Babar Azam from the Asia Cup 2025 squad is a proper name

Right here’s how followers reacted:

Additionally READ: Followers react as Pakistan drop Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan from Asia Cup 2025 squad





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