Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan to leave PCB Central Contract

Rizwan, Babar feel disrespected

Reportedly the two Pakistani batters felt disrespected as Pakistan rolled out their central contract list. Both Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam have long been great servants of the Pakistani cricket team. However, in recent times the two have been in a rut of form with a dearth of runs surrounding them. 

In T20Is, where the two batters have scored a decent amount of runs the strike rate has been an issue. Their low strike rate meant that the runs they scored negatively impacted the team.

In recent three ICC tournaments, Pakistan have fared poorly with Babar and Rizwan in the team. The two batters have not only struggled with their form but have led the team as well. Their leadership skills too came under questions with Pakistan failing to make it out of the group stages of ODI World Cup 2023, T20 World Cup 2024, and the Champions Trophy 2025. Recently the two batters were also dropped from Pakistan's squad for the Asia Cup 2025.

PCB bring out reforms in central contract

Before announcing the central contract, there were reports that PCB was looking to bring out new reforms in their central contract. This would have seen the salaries of players being reduced considerably. 

Reportedly the reform would have meant that the PCB would remove the ICC revenue sharing clause. This clause allows the Pakistani players to earn a share of revenue that PCB earns from the ICC. 

This clause was introduced into the contracts a couple of years ago on the request from some of the senior players from the Pakistan team. It is expected that both Babar and Rizwan were among the players who fought for adding this clause. 

Will Rizwan and Babar leave PCB central contract?

Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam are reportedly ready to leave the PCB central contract. The two batters leaving the central contract will five them the independence of choosing when to play and when not to play. Leaving the central contract has an impact on the financial well-being of the players. However, it would allow them to freely play in T20 leagues around the world. If a player is contracted with the central board they need to acquire an NOC (No Objection Certificate) from their respective board. In some cases the board often declines to provide an NOC to have players fit and ready to play for the national teams.

Both Rizwan and Babar can be highly sought after players across T20 leagues given the popularity the two batters enjoy in Pakistan and other cricket nations. However, given that Pakistani players do not play in the Indian Premier League, their earnings do not match those of players from different countries. 

How will Pakistan team be impacted?

Currently both Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam in spite of their poor performances are part of the test and ODI team. However, if they reject the central contract, the Pakistan will not have the players readily available to play for them. 

Given the reports of them leaving the central contract doing the rounds on social media, it would be wise for the Pakistan team to look at potential replacements. Currently the Pakistan domestic setup is not producing the best talents and finding ODI replacements in these times will not be a straightforward task for the selectors. 

Even with a poor run of form, the experience that both Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan carry is unmatched. Babar, who is about to turn 31 has an experience of playing more than 100 ODIs for Pakistan. In those games, the right-handed batter has smashed 19 centuries and 6,291 runs at a sensational average of 54.23. His strike rate of 87.63 could still help him find a place among some of the best in the format. 

On the other hand, Rizwan, having turned 33, has played 94 One-Day Internationals for the Pakistan team. In these games, he has scored 2,713 averaging 40.49. He has a strike rate of 85.88 in the format. While Rizwan’s numbers fall short of Babar, he can double up as a wicketkeeper providing another dimension to the team.