Significant changes are being prepared in Pakistani cricket. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is considering including new players in the central contracts for the 2026-27 season, while some experienced players may lose their positions.
Pakistan's head coach across all formats, Mike Hesson, recommended providing contracts to young athletes. His list includes 13 players. Furthermore, there is a possibility that the experienced wicket-batsmen Mohammad Rizwan and Imam Ul Haq may be excluded from the central contracts.
According to a PTI report received from Karachi, a high-ranking source within the PCB stated that Hesson proposed the names of several young players for the upcoming season. These include Arafat Minhaj, Saad Beg, Hasan Nawaz, Akif Javed, Ali Raja, Ahsan Daniyal, Sufian Mukim, Maj Sadakat, Rajoola, Azan Awais, Imran Randava, Abdullah Fazal, and Gazi Gori.
According to the PCB source, the board is still deciding on retaining contracts with experienced players. However, this time some senior players might be excluded. The source specified that Mohammad Rizwan and Imam Ul Haq will not receive spots in the new central contracts.
On the other hand, it is expected that the contracts of Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Sahibzada Farhan will remain valid. These three players lead Pakistan's teams in various formats. Additionally, contracts may be extended for Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Fahad Jama, and Saima Ayub. However, some of these players might have their contracts limited only to red or white ball cricket.
Mike Hesson places great emphasis on players' physical fitness, ability to implement the coach's tactics on the field, desire to improve their game, and behavior in the dressing room when forming central contracts. The source noted that Hesson aims to encourage young players who have demonstrated their potential and contributed to the team atmosphere by giving them good central contracts.
The old contracts expired on July 31st. The PCB has not yet announced the new central contracts for 2026-27. According to the board source, the delay is due to the evaluation of player performances. The PCB intends to decide which cricketers deserve new contracts after observing their play in current international and domestic tournaments.