Pakistan cricket is once again in the spotlight, but this time it’s not for a thrilling victory or a dramatic on-field collapse. Instead, all eyes are on star wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan, whose refusal to sign the new central contract offered by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. The move, which comes on the heels of a major overhaul in the PCB’s contract structure and recent leadership shake-ups, has left the board scrambling and fans questioning the future direction of the national team.
On October 29, 2025, Rizwan—long regarded as one of Pakistan’s most consistent and spirited performers—made headlines by declining to sign the PCB’s updated central contract. According to a PTI report, he is the only one among the 30 contracted players to withhold his signature. His decision, insiders say, is rooted in dissatisfaction over his demotion from Category A to Category B, as well as his abrupt removal as Pakistan’s ODI captain earlier in the year. The PCB, in a sweeping move, scrapped the elite Category A, which had been reserved for senior stalwarts like Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Rizwan himself. Instead, the board grouped ten top players, including the trio, into the new Category B, signaling a clear shift in the board’s approach to player management and rewards.
Rizwan’s refusal is more than just a contract dispute. It’s a direct challenge to the PCB’s leadership and a demand for clarity and respect for senior players. According to sources, he has conveyed to the board that he will not sign until his concerns are addressed. Chief among them: the reinstatement of Category A for senior players and a guarantee that whoever is appointed as captain will be given a clear term and full authority to execute their vision without interference from above. He has also reportedly sought clarification regarding his ongoing absence from the T20I squad—a team he hasn’t featured in since December 2024. Local media outlets have hinted that Rizwan, now 33, has set further undisclosed conditions before he’ll agree to the new contract.
“Rizwan is reportedly the only one among the 30 contracted players who has not signed the document,” reported PTI, underscoring the magnitude of this standoff. The board’s decision to scrap Category A, previously a mark of distinction for Pakistan’s most reliable performers, is widely seen as a response to the team’s disappointing results over the past year. Yet, for many, the demotion of a player of Rizwan’s stature—and the lack of clear communication about leadership changes—has only deepened the sense of uncertainty enveloping Pakistan cricket.
The contract saga is just the latest twist in what has been a tumultuous year for the Men in Green. Rizwan’s removal as ODI captain shocked many in the cricketing community, especially as the PCB provided no public explanation for the change. Shaheen Shah Afridi was named as his successor, but even that decision was shrouded in secrecy. According to an ESPNCricinfo report, the move to replace Rizwan was not solely the decision of new white-ball head coach Mike Hesson, but had the backing of the PCB’s top decision-making bodies. The process included a meeting in Islamabad involving the selection committee and Hesson, with PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi ultimately overseeing the final call. Rizwan’s name was notably absent from the official announcement, further fueling speculation about the board’s internal dynamics.
The fallout from Rizwan’s stance has been swift and severe. Reports suggest that PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi has been left embarrassed by the public nature of the dispute, which has triggered what local media are calling a “major crisis” within Pakistan cricket. The incident has not only raised fresh questions about the board’s leadership and unity but has also exposed lingering tensions between players and administrators. “The contract standoff adds to the ongoing uncertainty in Pakistan cricket, where recent leadership changes and selection decisions have sparked intense debate among players, fans, and experts alike,” noted one report, capturing the mood of a cricket-mad nation grappling with its team’s direction.
Rizwan’s demands go beyond personal grievances. He has insisted that the PCB must ensure whoever is appointed as captain is granted a clear term and full authority to execute their plans—a pointed reference to the board’s perceived habit of micromanaging team affairs. “Rizwan demanded that PCB reinstate Category A for senior players and ensure that whoever is appointed as captain is given a clear term and full authority without interference,” sources revealed. It’s a call for stability and respect that resonates with many former players and pundits, who have long criticized the PCB for its frequent changes and lack of transparency.
For Rizwan, the stakes are high. At 33, he remains a vital cog in Pakistan’s cricketing machinery, with a reputation for resilience and leadership under pressure. Yet, his absence from the T20I squad since late 2024 and his removal as ODI captain have cast a shadow over his future with the national side. “Rizwan requested PCB to explain his ongoing absence from Pakistan’s T20 team as of October 29, 2025,” reported Samaa TV, highlighting his quest for answers that many supporters share.
The PCB, for its part, has defended its new contract structure, arguing that the elimination of Category A and the revised pay structure will foster greater competition and accountability. Earlier this year, Rizwan was among 30 players shortlisted for the updated central contracts, but the board opted not to offer Category A deals to anyone. Instead, it implemented a pay scale that, while more egalitarian, has clearly not satisfied the team’s senior figures. “Earlier in 2025, Rizwan was among 30 players shortlisted for Pakistan’s updated central contracts, but PCB did not offer Category A contracts this cycle, implementing a revised pay structure instead,” reported ESPNCricinfo.
As the standoff drags on, the cricketing fraternity is watching closely. Fans have taken to social media to voice their support for Rizwan, while others urge the PCB to stand firm in its quest for reform. The debate has spilled over into television studios and newspaper columns, with former captains and selectors weighing in on the merits of Rizwan’s demands and the wisdom of the board’s new approach.
What happens next? That’s the million-rupee question. Will the PCB blink and reinstate Category A, or will Rizwan be forced to accept the new reality? Could this standoff set a precedent for other senior players, or will it fizzle out as just another chapter in Pakistan cricket’s long history of board-player tussles? Only time will tell, but for now, the uncertainty continues to loom large.
As the contract crisis simmers, one thing is clear: Pakistan cricket finds itself at a crossroads, with leadership, unity, and respect for its stars all hanging in the balance. Whether this impasse leads to meaningful change or deepens existing divisions may well shape the team’s fortunes for years to come.
