Category A cricketers seek increase in match fees

Men cricketers, who were awarded Category A central contract for 2021-22 by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), are not happy as there was no increase in their Test, ODI and T20I match fee.

In July, PCB announced a performance-based central contract list 2021-22 for 20 players, including three emerging cricketers, in which match fee across all formats had been equalised.

Category A comprises of players like Babar Azam, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi. There was a 25 per cent increase in Category A retainer but no increase in their match fee across formats.

On the other hand, there was 25 per cent increase in Category B retainer; Test match fee increased by 15 per cent, ODI match fee increased by 20 per cent and T20I match fee increased by 25 per cent.

Similarly, there was 25 per cent increase in Category C retainer; 34 per cent increase in Test match fee, 50 per cent increase in ODI match fee, 67 per cent increase in T20I match fee.

Whereas there was 15 per cent increase in Emerging Category retainer; 34 per cent increase in Test match fee, 50 per cent increase in ODI match fee, 67 per cent increase in T20I match fee.

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According to sources, Category A players have registered their protest with PCB. A senior cricketer recently talked with Director – International Cricket, Zakir Khan and requested for an increase in match fee of Category A players. However, Zakir gave no assurance of an increase to the aforementioned cricketer. The senior cricketer is confident that the board will not decline his request.

When PCB was contacted regarding this matter, their representative maintained that no cricketer has complained about their remuneration.