There is growing frustration among Pakistan’s national cricket teams as delays in salary payments and unresolved central contracts continue to create unrest. Both the men’s and women’s teams have reportedly not received their monthly retainers for the past several months, raising concerns about financial management within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
According to a PTI report, players in the men’s team, including top stars like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi, are still awaiting payments from the last three months. The central contracts, which were expected to be renewed, have also not been announced, adding to the uncertainty.
In the previous central contract agreement, significant salary increases were negotiated. For instance, Category A players were promised monthly retainers of 4.5 million rupees after tax deductions, along with additional income from logo sponsorships and a 3% share of the PCB’s revenue from the International Cricket Council (ICC). This year, each player’s share of the ICC revenue amounts to approximately 1.53 million rupees. Despite these assurances, payment delays have left players anxious.
A source from within the PCB cited administrative issues and pending revenue as reasons for the holdup. The source mentioned that a large portion of the PCB’s funds is being used for the renovation of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi in preparation for the ICC Champions Trophy. However, the PCB has assured that the players’ dues will be cleared by the end of the month.
Future central contracts, expected to take effect in 2024-25 and 2025-26, promise even larger salary increases, with Category A players set to earn 2.07 million rupees per month. However, the current delays cast doubt on the timely implementation of these increments.
Women’s Team Also Affected by Payment Delays
The issue extends to Pakistan’s women’s cricket team, which is currently competing in the T20 World Cup. Reports suggest that the women’s team has not been paid for the last four months. This situation has compounded concerns, especially since the PCB has also delayed payments to domestic players and Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises.
Cricbuzz reported that this isn’t the first time payment delays have occurred. Last year, the central contracts were delayed until the ICC Men’s World Cup in India began. With this year’s contracts still unresolved, many players are left in a state of uncertainty as they await clarity from the PCB.
The persistent financial issues have created a sense of unease among Pakistan’s cricketers, and unless resolved swiftly, they may impact the morale and focus of both the men’s and women’s teams in upcoming tournaments.
