Safeguarding players and employees' interest and ensuring no pay cut for them is at the top of the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) priority list, said board chairman Ehsan Mani, despite the game's suspension and losses suffered because of COVID-19 pandemic. 

However, Mani did say the board might have to lower its expectations while selling next round of bilateral rights and renewing sponsorship with PepsiCo, which could indirectly affect the players, something that the board is wary of. 

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"Cricketers are the biggest stakeholders in Pakistan cricket. Domestic and International and the centrally contracted and domestic players I want to assure them we will safeguard their interests till we can," Mani said in a video podcast released by the PCB. 

The board is also keen to ensure its staff isn't affected. "We will not make any staff redundant," added Mani. "But our internal restructuring will continue. At the same time, the pensions for former players and officials will continue to be given and our priorities are on safeguarding players and our staff."

Mani assured that any player in distress because of the current circumstances or dealing with health issues can contact the board and expect to be provided all the help. 

The major bone of contention is the bilateral cricket rights that have expired. "We have good cricket content until 2023 with home series against Australia, England, New Zealand and South Africa also in the works." 

"But marketing and monetising them is a challenge for us because we have to understand even broadcasters are going through economic pressures."

"They are our major partners in cricket. But we have to also have certainty when international cricket will return full-time to Pakistan," added Mani, stressing the need for the board to be flexible with regards to its contractual agreements. 

(Inputs from PTI)