PCB faces backlash as cricketers await their dues for four months

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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced central contracts for 25 players last year after extensive negotiations with senior cricketers. Notably, for the first time, the agreement included a three percent allocation of ICC revenues alongside increased monthly salaries.

According to the details, these contracts were set for a three-year term, running from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2026. However, following the team's disappointing performances, the new management initiated a review of the contracts just one year in. Initially, there was a decision to reduce player compensation, but this stance was later reconsidered. 

Sources indicate that national cricketers are frustrated with the ongoing uncertainty regarding their contracts, yet they feel powerless to push for their demands. Furthermore, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi is determined not to cave to any external pressures in his decision-making.

Last year, prior to the World Cup, players pressured the board to secure a favorable contract, but the current situation has changed dramatically. They have not received their monthly salaries for four months, from July to October, and have been left waiting despite numerous reminders. 

Additionally, the sponsorship payments for the logo on their shirts have also been overdue for several months. One player, speaking on the condition of anonymity, expressed concerns about the team’s recent performance, suggesting that the board is now more assertive due to these struggles.

Traditionally, Babar Azam also led negotiations with the board; however, with his current form declining, he finds himself in a weaker position to advocate for player demands. Sources indicate that the chairman has firmly instructed that no player, regardless of stature, will receive a central contract if they fail the fitness test. Recently, several prominent players have not passed this test but will be given another opportunity to demonstrate their fitness. 

Regarding the delay in issuing central contracts, PCB sources have noted the formation of a new selection team that aims to include some domestic performers selected for the Shaheens tours. Additionally, the Champions Cup has contributed to delays in conducting fitness tests for some players.

The delay in announcing the new central contracts is solely due to pending finalizations. Once all matters are settled, the announcement will be made, with the contracts becoming effective from July 1. 

Under the previous contract, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi, categorized in Category A, received monthly payments of 4.5 million rupees. Additionally, three percent of the ICC revenue for 2023-24 amounted to 1.53 million rupees, resulting in a total monthly transfer of 6.03 million rupees to their accounts.

In Category B, players such as Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shan Masood, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, and Shadab Khan earned a monthly salary of 3 million rupees. Notably, Sarfaraz and Shan were initially in Category D but were later promoted. With the inclusion of their ICC share of 1,147,500 rupees, they received a total of 4,147,500 rupees each month. It is important to mention that in February of this year, Haris Rauf's contract was suspended due to his refusal to tour Australia.

In Category C, Imad Wasim, Abdullah Shafiq, Abrar Ahmed, and Nauman Ali received a monthly salary of 1 million rupees, which included 765,000 rupees from the ICC, bringing their total monthly earnings to 1,765,000 rupees each.

In Category D, Fahim Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Ehsanullah, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Wasim Junior, Syed Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Dhani, Osama Mir, Zaman Khan, Arshad Iqbal, Aamer Jamal, and Tayyab Tahir had a monthly salary of 750,000 rupees. With the addition of 382,500 rupees from the ICC, they received a total of 1,132,500 rupees each month.

According to the contract, the ICC's share was set to rise in 2024-25 and 2025-26, reaching 2,070,000 rupees monthly for Category A, 1,552,500 rupees for Category B, 1,035,000 rupees for Category C, and 517,500 rupees for Category D. However, it remains uncertain whether these increases will be implemented. Under the previous contract, the fees were 1,257,795 rupees for Test matches, 644,620 rupees for One Day Internationals, and 418,584 rupees for T20 matches.

Last year, the board allocated a substantial budget of 528 million rupees for central contracts for cricketers, which included an additional 220.3 million rupees sourced from 3 percent of the ICC's revenue. This brought the total allocation to an impressive 748.3 million rupees. However, despite the financial support, the Pakistani team, which had exerted pressure on the PCB to secure their preferred contracts, failed to make it to the semi-finals of the One Day World Cup held in India last September and October. 

Under Babar Azam's leadership, the team faced significant challenges, losing 5 out of 9 matches against stronger teams such as India, Australia, Afghanistan, South Africa, and England, while only managing to secure victories against relatively weaker opponents like the Netherlands, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and New Zealand.

In December 2023 and January 2024, the Pakistan cricket team experienced significant setbacks, suffering defeats in all three Tests against Australia under the leadership of Shan Masood. The subsequent tour of New Zealand saw them lose the T20 series 1-4 with Shaheen Shah Afridi at the helm. In April, Babar Azam returned as captain for a home T20 series against a New Zealand squad lacking key players, which ended in a 2-2 draw after one match was washed out due to rain.

The team's performance fluctuated, as they lost the first T20 against Ireland in May but rebounded to win the series 2-1. However, rain disrupted two T20 matches in England, and they lost both remaining fixtures. The T20 World Cup was particularly disappointing, with losses to both India and the USA, rendering victories against Canada and Ireland insufficient for advancing to the Super 8 stage.

In August and September, Bangladesh made history by whitewashing Pakistan in both Test matches. Following the team's new contract, they faced a troubling run, winning only 7 out of 18 T20 matches, while suffering defeats in all five Tests and winning 4 out of 9 One Day Internationals, losing 5.