Rizwan, Imam likely to lose Pakistan central contracts as coach Hesson backs young players

New Delhi: Pakistan all-format head coach has recommended several young players for consideration in the PCB’s central contracts for the 2026-27 season. A well-informed PCB source told PTI that Arafat Minhas, Saad Baig, Hasan Nawaz, Akif Javed, Ali Reza, Ahsan Daniyal, Sufiyan Muqeem, Maaz Sadaqat, Razaullah, Azan Avais, Imran Randhawa, Abdullah Fazal and Ghazi Ghori are likely to be included in the new central contracts.

Besides these young players, the PCB is yet to decide on retaining the experienced players in the contracts. He said senior players and Imam ul Haq will not be given central contracts. The PCB is yet to decide whether to retain experienced players on its central contracts list. The source said that senior players Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq are unlikely to be offered contracts.

“Expect a few of the experienced seniors to be dropped from the central contracts list this year,” the source added.

The official further added that Hesson has stressed the importance of maintaining fitness, ability to execute coaches’ plans, improving skill levels and the right attitude in the dressing room to build strong squads across all three formats—Tests, ODIs and T20Is.

“Hesson is keen that the youngsters who have shown potential and the ability to bring value to the dressing room and team must be rewarded and encouraged with good central contracts,” the source added.

Babar, Shaheen, Farhan among players set to retain Pakistan central contracts

Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Sahibzada Farhan, who are Pakistan’s captain in three formats, along with Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub are also likely to be retained in the central contracts.

However, some players could be offered contracts limited to red or white-ball cricket. The Pakistan board has also delayed announcing the new central contracts as the old ones expired on July 31.

But the source added that the delay was intended to allow the PCB to assess the performance of players in the ongoing international and domestic competitions before deciding on the players who deserve to be given contracts.