The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the men’s central contracts for the 2024-25 season, effective since July 1, 2024. A total of 25 cricketers have been awarded contracts, with several notable changes in player categories.
- New Contracts: Five players received contracts for the first time, placed in Category D: Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Ali, Muhammad Irfan Khan, and Usman Khan.
- Category A: Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan remain in the highest category.
- Category B: Test skipper Shan Masood retains his spot, alongside Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi, who has been moved down from Category A.
- Category C: This category includes players like Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, and Shadab Khan.
- Category D: A mix of emerging players, including Aamir Jamal, Haseebullah, Kamran Ghulam, and Mohammad Wasim Jr.
Fakhar Zaman, who had held a central contract for the past eight years, has missed out this time, reportedly due to fitness concerns and a deteriorating relationship with the PCB.
As Pakistan prepares for its upcoming white-ball series against Australia and Zimbabwe, these contract announcements reflect a focus on nurturing emerging talent while maintaining a core group of experienced players.
