Ex-Captain Mohammad Rizwan Sparks Row, Declines PCB Contract Over Category Demotion

Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter and former ODI captain Mohammad Rizwan has sparked a major controversy by refusing to sign the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) new central contract for the 2025-26 season, placing him in Category B. According to multiple reports, Rizwan is the only player among the 30 offered contracts who has not yet signed the document, effective from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. The PCB notably eliminated the elite Category A tier—previously reserved for Rizwan, Babar Azam, and Shaheen Shah Afridi—demoting all three seniors to Category B alongside players like Shadab Khan, Haris Rauf, and Salman Ali Agha, signalling dissatisfaction with recent team performances.

Rizwan's standoff stems from several grievances, including his abrupt removal as ODI captain—replaced by Shaheen Shah Afridi following poor results like a Champions Trophy group-stage exit, a New Zealand whitewash, and a West Indies series loss—and his exclusion from the T20I squad since December 2024. He has demanded the reinstatement of Category A for senior players, clearer terms and authority for captains to implement their strategies without interference, and an official explanation for his T20I ouster. Sources indicate the PCB has rejected these conditions, with no immediate resolution in sight, heightening tensions amid ongoing discussions on X and in media circles.

This episode unfolds against a backdrop of turmoil in Pakistan cricket, marked by frequent captaincy changes under PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi—Rizwan took over white-ball leadership in 2024 after Shaheen and Babar—and broader issues like player-board relations strained by selection disputes and sponsorship conflicts. Despite the impasse, Rizwan remains in the 16-member ODI squad for the upcoming three-match series against South Africa starting November 3, underscoring his enduring value as a consistent performer and key wicketkeeper. Category C includes Naseem Shah and Saud Shakeel, while emerging talents fill Category D, reflecting the PCB's push for squad depth amid calls for transparency in contracting and leadership policies.

Also Read: Pakistan Surprise Fans With Pink Jerseys In 1st T20I — The Real Reason Behind The Gesture

As negotiations drag on, Rizwan's bold stance highlights deepening rifts within Pakistan cricket, potentially impacting team morale ahead of a packed white-ball calendar, including preparations for the 2026 T20 World Cup. Fans and analysts on platforms like X are divided, with some praising his assertiveness for accountability and others decrying it as disruptive. The PCB's response will be pivotal; failure to bridge the gap could escalate into a full-blown crisis, echoing past standoffs that have plagued the board's reputation for stability.

Also Read: Pakistan T20I: Babar Azam Returns To Silence Critics In T20I Series