Kusal Perera, who has been appointed as Sri Lanka’s captain for the upcoming ODI series against Bangladesh, on Saturday (May 22) said the pay dispute between Sri Lankan players and the national board has hurt team morale.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) recently cut fees for 24 cricketers by up to 40 percent in new contracts, which the players have refused to sign.

Addressing an online press conference, Perera said no agreement had been reached before departing for Bangladesh, where they are to feature in three ODIs.

"It will be a lie to say that the pay cut issue won't mentally affect our players," Perera told an online press conference.

"I hope we will be able to negotiate with the board upon our return."

The newly-appointed skipper further said the revised pay structure proposed by SLC was causing mental stress for the team.

"This is an additional challenge for me as I try to create an environment where players go to the middle and perform fearlessly," Perera said.

Former captain Angelo Mathews and Test skipper Dimuth Karunaratne have copped the biggest pay cuts.

While Mathews' annual fee fell from $130,000 a year to $80,000, Karunaratne was offered $70,000, a drop of $30,000.

"The players are not in agreement to sign unfair and non-transparent contracts and urge Sri Lanka Cricket to not hold the players at gunpoint," Nishan Premathiratne, a lawyer for the players, said.

Sri Lanka Cricket has said players could earn more under a new performance-based pay scheme.

The board officials stated that in addition to base fees, there are payments for each match and allowances for travel outside Colombo.

(With AFP inputs)