Pakistan players awaiting salaries for last 3 months, women's team playing T20 WC without being paid: Report

Pakistan cricket is in a tottering state with the men's team having a terrible run, across formats, since the 2023 ODI World Cup. At present, the pressure is on the women's team to shine in the ongoing 2024 T20 World Cup, in UAE. Amid all this, there are reports flowing in that the Babar Azam-starrer men's team have not received salaries for the last three months. Moreover, the situation is the same for the women'sside who are playing the T20 WC without being paid since June.

According to a report byPTI, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) are yet to clear the salaries of the last three months for the men's team. "For the last three months the players are waiting for their payments and also an announcement of the central contracts list,” said the source, highlighting the growing frustration among players.

Notably, the previous central contract agreement between the PCB and players, many aspects such as significant benefits, including salary increases were negotiated. Players in Category A, featuring the likes of Babar, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Afridi, earn monthly retainers of 4.5 million rupees after tax deductions. In addition, they receive a share from logo sponsorships as well as threepercent of the revenues the PCB generates from the International Cricket Council (ICC).

This year, players' share of ICC revenue comes to approximately 1.53 million rupees each. However, payment delays have led to hugeconcerns. In addition, the report citesthat the PCB has attributed the delay to administrative issues and pending revenue from various sources.

"The PCB is spending a lot on the complete facelift of the three stadiums in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi for the ICC Champions Trophy, besides other cricket-related expenses. But the dues of players would be cleared this month," the source further said.

Future central contract increments, slated for 2024-25 and 2025-26, does promise a substantial risein players' earnings. In Category A, retainers are expected to see a rise to 2,070,000 rupees a month, with corresponding hikes for players in Categories B, C, and D. However, all this seems out of the picture due to the current administrative delays.

Same story for the women's team

Interestingly, the situationfor the women's team is no better. The women's team as well as the domestic players and Pakistan Super League franchises arefacing considerable payment delays. A Cricbuzz reportinformed that the women's team is playing the T20 WC, which started on Oct 3, without being paid since June.

"Last year also the central contracts announcement was delayed right until the World Cup began in India, and this year there is more delay," said the source. With no official contract list released as of now, the frustration is growing amongplayers as they await clarity from the PCB.

Talking about the Fatima Sana-led Pakistanteam, they opened their campaign in the T20 WC with an impressive 31-run win over Sri Lanka, in defence of 116, on Thursday (Oct 3) in Sharjah.