Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan has reportedly refused to sign the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) central contract, expressing frustration over his recent sacking as ODI captain and exclusion from the T20I squad.
According to sources, Rizwan was among 30 players offered central contracts in August this year. However, unlike the other 29 cricketers, he has held back his signature, demanding clarity from the board over the reasons for his demotion and omission.
“Rizwan was placed in the B category of contracts after the PCB decided not to award any player an ‘A’ grade due to inconsistent performances,” a source told Telecomasia.net. “He has refused to sign the deal until the board responds to his concerns — particularly regarding his removal as captain and his axing from the T20I squad.
PCB Unmoved By Rizwan’s Stand
The PCB, sources confirmed, has rejected Rizwan’s demands and has no plans to renegotiate the contract or revisit its earlier decisions. Rizwan’s removal as ODI skipper reportedly followed a recommendation from head coach Mike Hesson, who wrote to the board claiming the wicketkeeper was “difficult to deal with” and “often complained about team selection” during the West Indies tour. The fallout has deepened the rift between Rizwan and the board, casting uncertainty over his future role in Pakistan cricket.
Rizwan’s removal as ODI skipper reportedly followed a recommendation from head coach Mike Hesson, who wrote to the board claiming the wicketkeeper was “difficult to deal with” and “often complained about team selection” during the West Indies tour. The fallout has deepened the rift between Rizwan and the board, casting uncertainty over his future role in Pakistan cricket.
A Rollercoaster Captaincy Stint
Rizwan’s tenure as captain began on a high. He led Pakistan to a historic 2-1 series win in Australia, their first ODI series victory Down Under in 22 years, and followed it with a 3-0 whitewash of South Africa — their first on South African soil.
However, 2025 turned into a nightmare. Pakistan suffered a 3-0 loss in New Zealand, were beaten in the tri-series final at home, and endured a first-round exit from the Champions Trophy, spoiling the celebrations of hosting their first ICC event in nearly three decades. The final blow came with a 2-1 series defeat in the West Indies — Pakistan’s first ODI series loss to the Caribbean side since 1991.
Voices of Support and Controversy
Rizwan’s removal as captain has sparked debate within Pakistan’s cricket circles. Former skipper Rashid Latif criticised the PCB’s decision, suggesting that Rizwan was “punished for speaking up for Palestine” and for his refusal to wear a betting company’s logo on his kit. While the PCB has made no official statement on these allegations, Latif’s remarks have intensified discussions about player autonomy and the politics of team selection.
Uncertain Future for Pakistan’s Key Wicketkeeper
As things stand, Rizwan remains unsigned, and his relationship with the PCB appears strained. Once seen as the team’s heartbeat and a stabilising force in Pakistan’s batting order, Rizwan now finds himself on the sidelines — by choice and circumstance. Whether the board bends or the batter backs down remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: the standoff between Mohammad Rizwan and the PCB has exposed deeper cracks within Pakistan cricket’s power structure.
