Amid the COVID-19 lockdown, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has on Monday (May 4) announced a special one-time financial package for the first-class cricketers, scorers, umpires, and ground staff, who are facing hardship in this difficult time due to the ongoing pandemic.

After having already donated around 10 million to the Prime Minister’s Covid-19 Pandemic Relief Fund, the PCB has come forward to help the cricketers and other staff who are struggling in the global crisis.

Read Also: Miandad recalls how Pakistan dominated India's famed spinners in 1978-79 series win

On Monday, the PCB has stated that Pakistan’s first-class cricketers who meet the criteria will be paid 25,000 Pakistani rupees (PKR), the match officials 15,000 PKR while the ground staff will get Rs 10,000 PKR without revealing their identity.

The financial aid by the PCB will be provided to the needy before the Eid holidays while the privacy of applicants will be respected. The board said in the release, “The Board will not make any announcements in relation to who and how many benefited from this one-time scheme.”

Read Also: Everyone got second chance, PCB treated me badly: Mohammad Asif

Meanwhile, the PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani lauded Shahid Afridi, Azhar Ali, Rumaan Raees, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and others for their individual work and support the needy in this critical time in the country.

Mani stated, “It is also heartening to see our cricketers coming out and supporting the people in need by auctioning their prized possessions and through various charities.”

He signed off by saying, “While I am sure many players are making donations in private, I want to applaud and appreciate Shahid Afridi, Rumman Raees and Azhar Ali who have been at the forefront of this noble cause and have been doing outstanding work.”

(With PTI Inputs)