🔥 Mohammad Rizwan & PCB Contract Drama: What’s Really Happening? 🇵🇰
Mohammad Rizwan — Pakistan’s dependable wicketkeeper-batter — is once again in headlines. Not because of a match-winning knock, not due to fitness concerns, but because of a contract controversy that has shaken Pakistan cricket discussions across social media, fan circles, and expert panels.
According to reliable internal sources, Rizwan is the ONLY one among 30 contracted players who has not signed the new central contract offered by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). While all others accepted their placements across categories B, C, and D, Rizwan is holding back, signaling a major rift developing between a senior player and the board.
So what exactly is going on?
Why hasn’t Pakistan’s most hardworking cricketer inked the deal yet?
What does this mean for his future in the national setup?
Let’s take a deep dive…
🧩 Who is Mohammad Rizwan? A Quick Reality Check ✨
Before moving into the controversy, Pakistan fans must remember who Rizwan is and what he represents:
✅ The man who carried Pakistan cricket through the toughest years
✅ The first ever cricketer to score 2000+ T20 runs in a calendar year
✅ The wicketkeeper who is involved in almost every breakthrough
✅ A national hero with match-winning performances under pressure
✅ A fitness icon with humility and professionalism
In short —
He is the heart of Pakistan’s white-ball cricket.
🏏 🚨 What is PCB’s New Contract Policy & Why It’s Causing Confusion?
PCB introduced a new central contract system unlike previous years ❗
✅ No Category A this year
✅ 30 players divided into:
- Category B: 10 players (including Rizwan & Babar Azam)
- Category C: 10 players
- Category D: 10 players
This means that even the top performers of Pakistan — Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Shadab Khan, Rizwan — were not placed in the highest tier like last year.
📌 Last year, Babar & Rizwan were both Category A
📌 This year? They are downgraded to Category B
🎯 Clearly, the new policy has surprised and upset senior players.
❗ Why Has Mohammad Rizwan Not Signed His Contract Yet?
Inside sources confirm:
➡️ Rizwan placed some demands and conditions
➡️ PCB did not fulfill them
➡️ There is no sign that PCB will reconsider
Although exact details remain confidential, Cricketory’s internal analysis suggests his demands may include:
💰 1️⃣ Better Compensation
Rizwan believes he deserves Category A level pay due to:
✔ Top wicketkeeping option
✔ One of the best T20 players in the world
✔ Highest consistency in ODIs
✔ Leadership qualities
✔ Match-winning contributions for Pakistan
He may feel disrespected after being removed from Category A.
🏆 2️⃣ Respect for Senior Players
Players who recently entered the team have been placed alongside him in the same category, likely upsetting him.
Example:
- Abrar Ahmed
- Saim Ayub
- Salman Ali Agha
These are excellent upcoming talents, but not yet at Rizwan’s legacy level.
📌 Seniors expect recognition — not equality that ignores achievements.
🧤 3️⃣ Defined Role in Pakistan Cricket
Rizwan has faced:
❌ Captaincy removal
❌ Frequent batting position changes
❌ Pressure from media & certain lobbies
He likely wants clear role protection as:
✅ First-choice wicketkeeper
✅ Top-order batter
✅ Senior leadership influence
🧑💼 4️⃣ Lack of Communication From PCB
Communication failures often lead to mistrust.
Rizwan may feel:
📍 He is not being valued
📍 He is being sidelined quietly
📍 Board decisions lack transparency
And this disrespect is more painful than money.
🚨 Why PCB Is Not Accepting His Demands?
From decision-makers’ perspective:
✅ They want a long-term performance-based structured contract
✅ They believe no player should be bigger than the board
✅ Refusing individual demands maintains control & stability
A delicate balance — but definitely a dangerous one.
⚔️ Is a Cold War Starting Between PCB & Senior Stars?
Let’s take a deeper look:
| Player | Past Situation | Current Situation |
|---|---|---|
| Babar Azam | Relieved from captaincy | Placed in Category B |
| Shaheen Afridi | Controversy over captaincy | Not fully satisfied |
| Mohammad Rizwan | Captaincy removed | Contract not signed |
Three top senior players — ALL unhappy.
📌 This signals a silent friction in team management.
📊 Cricketory Insight: What If Rizwan Rejects the Contract?
If Rizwan decides not to sign at all, consequences include:
| Possible Outcome | Impact |
|---|---|
| Suspension from selection | Pakistan loses an experienced opener/wicketkeeper |
| Reduction in salary & perks | Media pressure grows |
| Dressing room division | New unwanted politics begins |
| Public outrage | PCB reputation damage |
Pakistan’s batting cannot handle another major shake-up at this stage.
🧠 Why PCB Must Resolve This Quickly (Cricketory Analysis)
Pakistan cricket is already struggling with:
❌ Inconsistent results
❌ Unstable leadership
❌ Injuries to key stars
❌ Limited talent depth in experienced players
Rizwan is not replaceable overnight.
➡️ Mohammad Haris is still very raw
➡️ Azam Khan struggles with fitness & keeping consistency
➡️ No wicketkeeper in domestic cricket close to Rizwan’s level
📌 Removing him would create a huge void in both T20 and ODI formats.
🔍 What Fans Think: Social Media Trends 📈
Pakistani fans love Rizwan for his:
✅ Devotion to religion
✅ Humbleness
✅ Passion
✅ Fighting spirit
✅ Consistency in pressure situations
Top trending fan responses:
💬 “Rizwan deserves Category A. PCB must respect performers.”
💬 “Without Rizwan, Pakistan is incomplete.”
💬 “Management politics ruining our cricket again!”
📌 Public opinion heavily supports Mohammad Rizwan ✅
And PCB must pay attention.
🥇 Who Else Is in Category B With Rizwan?
To understand his frustration — here’s PCB’s chosen lineup for Category B:
- Abrar Ahmed
- Babar Azam
- Fakhar Zaman
- Haris Rauf
- Hasan Ali
- Mohammad Rizwan
- Saim Ayub
- Salman Ali Agha
- Shadab Khan
- Shaheen Shah Afridi
📌 Only Rizwan hasn’t signed — clear message:
He is not satisfied with this grouping.
📌 What Will Happen Next? 3 Possible Scenarios
✅ Scenario 1: Rizwan Signs After Negotiations
• Peace restored
• No major media damage
🟢 Most ideal solution
⚠ Scenario 2: Rizwan Signs Without Satisfaction
• Silent friction continues
• Team chemistry impacts
• Rizwan plays under mental pressure
🟡 Risky in long-term
❌ Scenario 3: Rizwan Refuses & Gets Dropped
• Fan outrage
• Pakistan loses its most complete player
• Major leadership crisis returns
• Dressing room splits into groups
🔴 Biggest disaster for Pakistan cricket
🧨 Cricketory Final Verdict
✅ PCB MUST recognize Rizwan as a premium performer
✅ Separate “A+ Elite Performer" tier should include:
✔ Babar Azam
✔ Mohammad Rizwan
✔ Shaheen Afridi
✅ Fair recognition prevents trust breakdown
✅ Pakistan CANNOT afford losing another senior backbone
📢 If PCB mishandles this — Pakistan cricket will suffer massively.
❓ FAQs – Mohammad Rizwan Central Contract Controversy
1️⃣ Why did Mohammad Rizwan not sign the central contract?
A: Because his demands regarding category status, role, and respect were not fulfilled by PCB.
2️⃣ Will Rizwan get dropped from Pakistan?
A: PCB may pressure him —
but dropping him would cause a huge backlash from fans and experts.
3️⃣ Is this issue about money?
A: Not only money — mainly recognition & respect for senior players.
4️⃣ Who will keep wickets if Rizwan refuses the contract?
A: Pakistan has no reliable replacement yet.
Haris & Azam Khan are still not ready for full-time national duties.
5️⃣ When will this issue resolve?
A: Negotiations are ongoing.
PCB must compromise to avoid long-term disagreements.