Aliya Riaz loses central contract in latest PCB list as current skipper Fatima Sana gets lifted up to “A” category.
Aliya Riaz and former captain Nida Dar have been omitted from the PCB’s new batch of central contracts.
The new contracts revealed 16 players, including Fatima Sana, who replaced Dar as captain, who was promoted to Category A.
Although their exclusions are not wholly surprising, Riaz was downgraded to Category B and Dar was in Category A in last year’s contracts. Concerns over their attitude inside the team setup are thought to have been aired with the PCB administration in addition to their declining form.
Eyman Fatima, Anoosha Nasir, Sidra Nawaz and Shawaal Zulfiqar also miss out on contracts this season. Bismah Maroof’s retirement earlier this year means she no longer features.
The board said, “these players will remain available for selection. The PCB shifts its focus towards developing the next generation of cricketers in alignment with the ICC’s Women’s FTP (Future Tours Programme) for 2025-29.”
After a string of exceptional all-around performances during the lead-up to and during the T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates, Sana was promoted. Pakistan lost their three other group matches to India, Australia, and eventual champions New Zealand, although they defeated Sri Lanka in the tournament.
The wicketkeeper-batter Muneeba Ali has also been promoted to Category A, replacing Sidra Amin, who has not lost her spot. Tasmia Rubab makes her maiden appearance on the central-contracts list. Gull Feroza and Rameen Shamim make their first appearances since 2018 and 2022–2023 respectively.
Since the contracts expired at the end of July, they have been pending approval for a while. However, players will receive payments retroactively from that time. The contracts’ delay is a part of a larger pattern of instability and unpredictability in Pakistani women’s cricket. Where the PCB has had difficulty launching ventures.
“The 2024-25 central contracts reflect our forward-looking strategy as we prepare for the new ICC Women’s Future Tours Programme.” The PCB’s new Chief Operating Officer Sumair Ahmad Syed said. “By investing in established players through enhanced retainers and offering clear pathways to the emerging cricketer. We aim to strike a balance between nurturing future stars and sustaining competitiveness at the highest level.”