The Pakistan Cricket Board has embarrassed its own players with the latest central contracts. By leaving Category A completely blank, they’ve essentially declared that none of our cricketers are worthy of the top tier. That is not just insulting to players who have carried Pakistan cricket for years, but it also damages team morale and sends the wrong message to the world about where we stand as a cricketing nation.
Cricket is not about cheap publicity or scoring points with the media and angry fans online. If the intention was to “send a strong message” that could have been done behind closed doors. Public humiliation does not inspire players, it only damages morale further. Strong leadership is about lifting the team when it’s down, not dragging it even lower.
Of course, holding players accountable is important. But if constant chopping, changing, and punishing were working, the results would show it. Instead, Pakistan cricket seems to be heading downhill with no clear direction. The approach is broken, and the board appears to be stuck in a cycle of reaction rather than vision.
It’s not even just about Rizwan, Babar, or Shaheen, though their records over the years certainly justify Category A. Form dips are part of cricket, and 12–14 months without peak performance is not a reason to discard players who have carried the team for so long. Every team’s situation is different, and decisions must be tailored to Pakistan’s reality, not copied blindly from elsewhere.
And what about Saud Shakeel? A batter averaging 50 in Test cricket, who recently played a gutsy innings against India, has been ignored completely, not only denied Category A, but also dropped from the ODI squad. How does that make any sense?
The truth is simple: cricket is not played through press releases and knee jerk punishments. It requires direction, clarity, and an environment where players feel valued and motivated. Right now, none of that exists. If the leadership doesn’t change its approach, history will remember this as one of the darkest, most directionless phases of Pakistan cricket.