Former Pakistan pacer Tanvir Ahmed has once again stirred controversy by lashing out at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) following the announcement of the 2025–26 central contracts. The big talking point this year? The removal of the prestigious A-category from the contracts. Tanvir, never one to mince words, accused the PCB of succumbing to the influence of Babar Azam, calling it a “joke in world cricket.”
Who is Tanvir Ahmed?
For those unfamiliar, Tanvir Ahmed isn’t just another ex-cricketer shouting from the sidelines. A former right-arm fast bowler, he represented Pakistan in Test matches and earned respect for his straightforward style. After retirement, he turned into a frank cricket analyst, often making headlines for his blunt takes on players, selectors, and PCB management.
The Central Contract Controversy
Central contracts are essentially yearly agreements between the PCB and players, ensuring financial security and performance rewards. Traditionally, the A-category represented the cream of Pakistan cricket—the top-performing players like Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Mohammad Rizwan.
But this year, the A-category has been completely scrapped. Instead, players were slotted into categories B, C, and D, with no one considered worthy of the highest bracket.
Tanvir Ahmed’s Criticism of PCB
Tanvir took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to unleash his anger:
“Haha, the central contract was announced — the A category has been removed just because of the KING. This is what you call Babar Azam pressure — the selection committee got scared.”
He didn’t stop there. Tanvir directly challenged the PCB:
“I challenge the selection committee to come before the media and explain why the A category was removed. Today, this has become yet another joke in the world of cricket. They don’t even have the courage to demote Babar.”
In his view, PCB’s decision wasn’t about restructuring but about protecting Babar Azam’s reputation.
The Role of Babar Azam in Pakistan Cricket
Let’s be honest: Babar Azam isn’t just another cricketer in Pakistan — he’s a phenomenon. With millions of fans, he carries the aura of a modern cricket superstar. His influence is so strong that selectors and administrators often tread carefully.
Tanvir believes that the PCB couldn’t risk demoting Babar from A to B category because of the backlash it would cause. After all, if Babar retires tomorrow from T20s, it would trigger a storm in Pakistan cricket.
Why Was A-Category Removed?
Officially, the PCB hasn’t explained the decision in detail. But a few possible reasons include:
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Financial adjustments after Pakistan’s poor performances in recent ICC tournaments.
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Performance-based contracts where no player was deemed dominant enough to deserve A-category.
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Internal politics and power struggles within PCB.
Still, Tanvir insists that Babar’s shadow looms largest over this call.
Reactions from the Cricket Community
While players themselves have stayed quiet (perhaps to avoid trouble), fans lit up social media. Some sided with Tanvir, calling it a disgrace, while others defended PCB’s right to restructure. Cricket analysts too remain split — some see it as a bold decision, others as a political compromise.
Breakdown of New Central Contracts (2025–26)
The new contracts cover 30 men’s cricketers, up from 27 last year. Instead of an A-category, PCB split the players as follows:
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Category B: 10 players
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Category C: 10 players
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Category D: 10 players
This flattening of the hierarchy has sparked even more debate.
New Players Included in the List
Interestingly, 12 new players made it to the contracts list this year, including:
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Ahmed Daniyal
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Faheem Ashraf
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Hasan Ali
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Hasan Nawaz
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Hussain Talat
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Khushdil Shah
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Mohammad Abbas
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Mohammad Haris
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Mohammad Nawaz
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Sahibzada Farhan
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Salman Mirza
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Sufyan Moqim
This signals a fresh direction for Pakistan cricket, with more opportunities for younger talent.
Promotions Based on Performance
Performance still mattered. Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, and Shadab Khan were all promoted from Category C to B—a nod to their consistency in recent matches.
What This Means for Senior Players
For senior players, the scrapping of A-category feels like a loss of prestige. It’s almost as if PCB is saying: “No one is above the rest.” Big names like Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Rizwan now share space with others, which some see as a levelling act and others as an insult.
Transparency and Accountability Issues
Tanvir’s strongest criticism isn’t just about Babar’s influence — it’s about PCB’s secrecy. He openly challenged the committee to face the media and explain. But history shows that PCB often avoids accountability, preferring quiet decisions behind closed doors.
Impact on Pakistan Cricket’s Global Image
Internationally, this move may raise eyebrows. Unlike India, Australia, or England, where top players are celebrated with top contracts, Pakistan has eliminated its premier category altogether. This could make Pakistan cricket look unstable in the eyes of the world.
Future of Central Contracts in Pakistan
Will the A-category return? Possibly. If players deliver exceptional performances in upcoming ICC events, PCB may restore the top tier. But for now, this move reflects politics, pressure, and a lack of long-term vision.
Conclusion
Tanvir Ahmed’s outburst has once again highlighted the power struggles within Pakistan cricket. The removal of the A-category is not just a structural change — it’s a symbolic one. Whether it was done to appease Babar Azam’s fans, to create equality among players, or to cover up internal mismanagement, one thing is clear: Pakistan cricket remains as unpredictable off the field as it is on it.
FAQs
1. Why was the A-category removed from Pakistan’s central contracts?
The PCB hasn’t provided a clear reason, but many believe it was due to internal politics, performance concerns, and pressure related to Babar Azam’s influence.
2. What did Tanvir Ahmed say about the new contracts?
He criticized PCB, claiming the selection committee bowed to Babar Azam’s power and lacked the courage to demote him.
3. How many players got central contracts for 2025–26?
A total of 30 players were given contracts, up from 27 last year.
4. Was Babar Azam behind the removal of A-category?
There’s no official confirmation, but critics like Tanvir Ahmed believe the PCB wanted to avoid backlash from Babar’s demotion.
5. Will the A-category return in the future?
Possibly, if top players dominate globally and PCB decides to restore the traditional structure.