Pakistan players are reportedly threatening to boycott sponsorship logos and World Cup promotions over payment delays by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
According to a report in Cricket Pakistan, the Pakistan cricket team has not received payment for their match fees in the last four months.
With the World Cup ICC World Cup scheduled to start on October 5 in India, players are refusing to wear corporate logos on their shirts. The younger players, in particular, are struggling financially as a result of the board’s inability to settle payments.
As per the report, the PCB had proposed a monthly retainer fee of PKR 4.5 million for top cricketers playing across all three formats – Test, One Day International, and T20. This offer was expected to motivate players and boost their performance. However, contradictions have surfaced as the players are now asking for a hike in payments. After tax deductions, these cricketers receive only in the range of PKR 2.2 to 2.3 million, stripping down the initial offer by almost half.
With the PCB reportedly receiving PKR 9.8 billion via various financial streams, the players are now demanding a share of this wealth. Primarily, their argument is anchored in the revenue sharing model that PCB enjoys with the ICC, sponsors, Pakistan Super League (PSL) contracts, and bilateral series. The players argue that since they are the main draw attracting sponsors, viewers, and subsequently driving the financial success of the sport, they are entitled to a portion of the revenue generated.
