The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is gearing up to make significant enhancements in player remuneration with lucrative salaries, acknowledging their talent and dedication to the sport.
In a recent interview with Cricket Pakistan, Zaka Ashraf, Chairman of the PCB Management Committee, expressed the board’s commitment to generously reward the cricketers, recognizing that the board owes its success to them.
The country’s top cricketers, including Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi, have been offered an impressive monthly retainership fee of PKR 4.5 million each. This represents a substantial increase from their previous contracts, with red-ball players previously receiving 1.1 million rupees per month and white-ball players earning 0.95 million rupees.
Responding to player demands, the PCB is also willing to raise the remuneration in other categories, ensuring that the players are adequately recognized for their skills and efforts, leading to heightened performance and loyalty to the national team.
Furthermore, the PCB is providing players with more flexibility to participate in international leagues. A-category cricketers can now join one T20 league per year, while B-category cricketers can participate in two leagues annually. Category C cricketers will have the opportunity to take part in three leagues per year.
To ensure stability and avoid potential disputes during annual renewals, the PCB is offering three-year contracts to players. This move allows both players and the PCB to focus solely on the game.
To maintain the enthusiasm and engagement of players in Test matches, it has been proposed to implement a noteworthy rise in Test match fees.
The PCB understands that Pakistani cricketers, due to their non-participation in the IPL (Indian Premier League), are not earning as much as other top stars in the world. While a 100% exemption might not be feasible, the board is committed to providing a substantial amount that offers financial comfort.
Misbah-ul-Haq, the head of the Cricket Technical Committee, is actively engaging with the players, and there is optimism that positive progress will be achieved soon.
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