Mohsin Naqvi and Shaheen Afridi - (Source: AFP )
Things are not well within Pakistan cricket. The Men in Green are fresh off a series win over Australia, but the atmosphere in the dressing room remains tense. Allegedly, senior stars are unhappy with PCB officials, and vice versa. Attention now turns to the West Indies Test series, with Shaheen Afridi set to be sidelined from red-ball cricket.
Pakistan management recently called up 22 players for the ongoing pre-season red-ball camp and Shaheen Afridi was the notable absentee. Now, amid the uncertainty, PCB has come up with a new plan, which is to introduce revamped central contracts.
PCB To Introduce Revamped Central Contract
At present, the PCB has 27 players under their central contract, which is now due to be renewed around August. For the 2026-27 season, the Mohsin Naqvi-led board is planning to introduce format-wise contracts.
Hence, the idea is to have three different contracts based on format. Not only will be it have different category for Test, T20Is, and ODIs, but also a seperate one for the emerging players.
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A report from a Pakistani outlet also reported that Domestic participation, fitness, and performance will be mandatory to earn a central contract.
Shaheen Afridi on the brink of losing Red-Ball Contract
Now, if the PCB does actually introduce format-vise central contract, then the 26-year-old fear losing his red-ball contract. Pakistan will return to cricket action with a two-match Test series against the West Indies in Trinidad and Tobago, scheduled to run from July 25 to August 6.
Hence, it is possible that the PCB might actually introduce the revamped contract by then and Shaheen, the notable omission. Also, if we look at the 22-member list named for the red-ball camp, then Shaheen is the only senior active Test player for Pakistan not part of the list.
The likes of Babar Azam, Shan Masood, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, and Abrar Ahmed are all part of the tour to West Indies, except Shaheen Afridi, which reveals that PCB is actually planning to move on.
Does Shaheen Afridi Deserve To Lose His Red-Ball Contract?
Shaheen, who made his Test debut in December 2017, has thus far represented Pakistan in 34 matches, in which he has taken 126 wickets at an average of 28.13, conceding 3,545 runs in 1,114 overs.
Now, representing just 34 matches in 9 years is not acceptable from a player of his stature. The left-arm seamer has been out a lot because of his injuries, and to play red-ball cricket, one needs to be in the best of shape.
Hence, it won’t be any surprise if Shaheen Afridi does not get a contract for all three formats. Further, his axing from the red-ball contract could also hint at PCB moving on from their premier fast bowler in red-ball cricket.
Prominent Pakistan Players Who Can Lose Their Contract
Not just Shaheen Afridi, but there are several prominent names, who can lose their contract in one of the three formats. Other than the left-arm seamer, Mohammad Rizwan is also sweating hard as he is out of scheme of things in T20Is and ODIs and could possibly lose his white-ball contract.
Similarly, eyes are on Babar Azam, who has not been doing well in T20is, but an impressive PSL 2026 can be the only reason why the former Pakistan captain might earn a T20I central contract.
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