Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is likely to revise its list of central contracted players for the upcoming year. The latest contract of all the players will expire on June 30; ahead of that, the PCB officials are reviewing the performances of the players who are currently under the board’s contract.
Central contracted players, who have so far failed to play according to the expectations or consistency, are likely to be excluded from the next set of fresh contracts. Fitness of the players is also under the scanner. Due to a lack of performance and other issues, there are several well-known names in the Pakistan cricket team who are likely to be excluded.
Multiple star players could be axed from the Pakistan cricket team's central contract
Mohammad Nawaz, Abdullah Shafique, Faheem Ashraf, Hussain Talat, and Khushdil Shah are among the players who are not in the officials' good book and could be excluded from the next central contracts. The next cycle is a new cycle starting July 1.
“Several Pakistan cricketers are expected to miss out on central contracts as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) prepares to revise its players' list ahead of the new cycle starting July 1, sources told,” Geo News informed in their report, published on their website on May 15.
“According to sources, several players from the existing pool are unlikely to retain their places in the upcoming contracts. The names under consideration for exclusion reportedly include Mohammad Nawaz, Abdullah Shafique, Faheem Ashraf, Hussain Talat, and Khushdil Shah,” it is further claimed in the report.
Multiple emerging stars are expected to get encouragement
These players are in the existing pool contracts, but due to inconsistent performances and selection fluctuations, the PCB is likely to drop them from the contracts to make room for some emerging talents. To enhance their performance in the tournaments, the Pakistan Cricket Board can place multiple young talents under the 2026-27 central contracts.
Emerging talents like Azan Awais and Abdullah Fazal are being considered for inclusion in the new list. These players have shown their skills in domestic cricket in the recent past and looked promising enough to leave a positive impression in international cricket as well.
However, the ultimate list of players will be approved by the PCB chairman, Mohsin Naqvi. It is also mentioned in the media report that some of the players, who are in the 2025-26 central contracts and will be in the cycle as well, can be affected by promotion or demotion in the players category.
The final decision will be taken by the chief, Mohsin Naqvi
Depending on the performance, the PCB officials could promote some players to the upper category, while others can be dropped in lower ranks because of inconsistent display. “Sources further indicated that the board may also adjust categories for several currently contracted players, with potential promotions and demotions expected depending on recent form and fitness benchmarks,” the media report mentioned.
“The final announcement is expected once PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi approves the revised structure, which could significantly reshape Pakistan’s central contracts landscape for the upcoming season,” it concluded.
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