PCB cuts daily allowances for women cricketers in national camp

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to discontinue daily allowances for women cricketers attending national training camps, a move that has sparked disappointment among the players. 

This decision impacts the women's team currently training in Multan for their upcoming home series against South Africa.

A PCB official defended the decision, stating, “The players are not being given daily allowances because the board is now providing them accommodation and three full meals during the day,” a PCB official said.

Interestingly, the players of Pakistan's men’s team are given the choice of receiving two full meals per day, along with accommodation and a daily allowance.

The timing of this policy shift is being questioned, especially since the PCB is investing heavily in other projects, such as paying 5 million rupees in monthly salaries to mentors for the ongoing Champions Cup in Faisalabad and spending 12.8 billion rupees on renovations for three Test venues ahead of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.

A former Pakistan cricketer criticized the board’s decision, saying, “What difference of a few lakh rupees will make to the board is anybody’s guess, but it has potential to create discontent in women’s cricket."

Additionally, the women players are still awaiting their central contracts for the fiscal year, which have been delayed by over a month. Last year, 19 players were awarded contracts, but this year’s announcement is yet to come.

Despite the decision, the PCB official mentioned that the women cricketers will receive daily allowances once the series against South Africa begins on September 17, seen as preparation for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in the UAE next month.