Rizwan says ‘No’ to PCB! Central contract drama shakes Pakistan cricket

Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan has reportedly refused to sign his central contract with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), becoming the only player among 30 contracted cricketers to hold back his signature, sources revealed on Tuesday.

While all other players have finalized their agreements, Rizwan allegedly withheld his signature after the PCB rejected several personal requests he made as part of his deal. Insiders close to the matter claim that the board has shown no indication of reconsidering his demands, signaling growing tension between the player and management.

Rizwan was placed in Category B of the new central contracts, alongside Babar Azam and nine other players — with no cricketer included in Category A this year.

The decision comes shortly after Rizwan’s removal as ODI captain, a move that saw Shaheen Shah Afridi take over ahead of the upcoming home series against South Africa.

Appointed as white-ball captain in October 2024, Rizwan initially enjoyed success with ODI series victories against Australia and South Africa abroad. However, his leadership came under fire after a poor T20I run — including four consecutive defeats — and a disappointing Champions Trophy 2025 campaign, where Pakistan failed to reach the knockouts.

Pakistan’s subsequent ODI series losses to New Zealand (3–0) and West Indies (2–1) further weakened Rizwan’s position as captain.

Overall, Rizwan led Pakistan in 20 ODIs, winning 9 and losing 11, ending his tenure with a 45% win record.

The ongoing Mohammad Rizwan central contract standoff now adds another layer of uncertainty for Pakistan cricket, especially as the team heads into a busy white-ball calendar against South Africa and Sri Lanka.