The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is on the brink of a massive remuneration uplift for its players in acknowledging their skill and dedication. In a recent discourse with Cricket Pakistan, Zaka Ashraf, Chairman of the PCB Management Committee, affirmed the board’s resolution to augment financial support for the cricketers, considering their significant role in sustaining the board’s operations.
Top-notch players from all three cricket formats, including Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi, have been offered an impressive monthly retainership fee of PKR 4.5 million each. This denotes a massive leap from their previous contracts, which saw red-ball players earning 1.1 million rupees and white-ball players garnering 0.95 million rupees monthly.
Enhanced Opportunities and Financial Stability for Players
Moreover, the PCB has reflected upon player appeals and is poised to uplift remunerations in other categories. The board aims to ensure that cricketers are adequately rewarded for their talents and diligence, boosting their performance and loyalty to the national team.
The PCB also provides players with increased opportunities to participate in international leagues. A-category cricketers will now be permitted to participate in one T20 league annually, while B-category players can join two and C-category players three.
Although the PCB hasn’t acceded to revenue-sharing demands from ICC or PCB contracts, it aims to ensure stability by offering three-year contracts to players. This approach aims to avert disagreements arising from annual renewals, letting the PCB and players concentrate on the game.
A substantial hike in Test match fees is also contemplated to sustain player interest in this format.
With the understanding that Pakistani cricketers may not earn as much as their international counterparts due to non-participation in the IPL (Indian Premier League), the board aims to provide substantial financial support for their comfort.
The Cricket Technical Committee head, Misbah-ul-Haq, is closely engaging with the players, expecting progressive advancements soon.
Read: PCB Establishes High-Profile Cricket Technical Committee Led by Misbah-ul-Haq