Pakistan cricket is facing a severe crunch of money as the men’s team and centrally contracted players have not received payment for the last three months. Not only this, reports have stated even the Pakistan women’s team is playing in the T20 World Cup 2024 without any payment.
The previous central contract deal between the PCB and players included major perks such as wage increases. Players in Category A, including Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi, earn 4.5 million rupees per month after tax reductions. They also earn a share of brand sponsorships and 3% of the PCB's revenue from the International Cricket Council (ICC).
This year, players' share of ICC revenue amounts to approximately 1.53 million rupees each. However, payment delays have created mounting concerns. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has not yet cleared payments for the past three months, leaving top players in uncertainty.
“For the last three months the players are waiting for their payments and also an announcement of the central contracts list,” a PCB source told PTI.
The report further claims that the PCB blamed the delay on administrative challenges and outstanding revenue from several sources.
"The PCB is spending a lot on the complete facelift of the three stadiums in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi for the ICC Champions Trophy, besides other cricket-related expenses. But the dues of players would be cleared this month," the source added.
Interestingly, Pakistan's women's team, which is presently competing in the T20 World Cup, as well as domestic players and Pakistan Super League franchises, are also experiencing delayed payments, adding to the financial backlog.
"Last year also the central contracts announcement was delayed right until the World Cup began in India, and this year there is more delay," said the source.
Future central contract increments, set for 2024-25 and 2025-26, promise significant increases in player salaries. Retainers in Category A are set to increase to 2,070,000 PKR per month, with similar increases for players in Categories B, C, and D.
However, given the current administrative delays, the possibility of these hikes being implemented remains dubious.
