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2h ago

Rizwan Debuts in CPL as PCB Overhaul Demotes Babar and Drops Duo From Asia Cup

PCB frames the overhaul as merit-based, prompting senior unrest plus a pivot to franchise leagues.

Babar Azam (L) and Mohammad Rizwan were both not picked for the Asia Cup
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Shreyas Iyer | Image: ICC

Overview

  • The PCB’s 2025–26 central contracts removed Category A and expanded the list to 30 players, with former top-bracket names Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan reassigned to Category B.
  • Both Babar and Rizwan were omitted from Pakistan’s squads for the UAE tri-series and the T20 Asia Cup, where Salman Ali Agha has been named captain.
  • Cleared to play after his national-team omission, Rizwan signed with St Kitts and Nevis Patriots as Fazalhaq Farooqi’s replacement and made his CPL debut, completing the PCB’s two-overseas-league quota alongside his BBL deal.
  • Reports from Cricket Pakistan and InsideSport say senior players felt disrespected by the changes, with some—including Babar and Rizwan—said to be considering opting out of central contracts.
  • PCB sources rejected claims of favoritism and emphasized performance-based decisions, while Babar was filmed training in Lahore as he works toward a return.