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The wk-batter Mohammad Rizwan is set to join St Kitts and Nevis Patriots for CPL 2025 after being snubbed from Pakistan’s squad for the Asia Cup 2025.

With the side yet to confirm the signing, the announcement is likely to be made on the course of 24 hours. He will be replacing Fazalhaq Farooqi, who is set to link up with the Afghanistan squad for the tri-nation series against the UAE and Pakistan.

However, it is not clear that he will be available for the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots’ next clash.

This is the first time Rizwan will be taking part in the CPL, which already has a strong roster of Pakistani players. Meanwhile, it was announced earlier on Thursday that Usama Mir had signed for Antigua and Barbuda Falcons.

The Patriots has two Pakistan players in their ranks in the form of fast bowlers Naseem Shah and Abbas Afridi.

Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir and Salman Irshad are also part of this year’s competition as they play for the Falcons, Trinbago Knight Riders and Jamaica Tallawahs.

Rizwan will used up his quota of two overseas T20 leagues. The PCB has stipulated that the maximum number centrally contracted players can take part in over 12-month period starting in July.

Earlier this year, Rizwan signed a deal with Melbourne Renegades for the Big Bash League. St Kitts and Nevis Patriots had a shaky start in the ongoing CPL 2025 as they managed only one victory out of four games.

Rizwan’s CPL move comes on the heels of a shocking PCB decision to demote both Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam from category A to category B in Pakistan’s central contracts for 2025-26 season.

The demotion follows their omission from the Asia Cup squad, sparking a debate among fans and cricket analysts about the board’s selection policies.

PCB expanded the contracted player pool to 30 promoting new talent, while sidelining experienced performers. With no player selected for category A, the decision underscores the board’s focus on emerging players and squad depth.