There is a new scandal surrounding the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), as it has been reported that players have not received their monthly salaries for the last four months. The cricket players' discontent has grown as a result of this financial uncertainty, which has added to an already turbulent year. Concerns are raised concerning the PCB's financial stability, management, and potential effects on team morale prior to important international tournaments.
According to Cricket Pakistan, Payments are not made until October 2024, from July onward. During this time, players—including well-known individuals like Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, and Babar Azam have not received their contractual salary. The PCB has been reminded numerous times, but it still does not appear clear when the payments will be made. The players are in a precarious situation due to this financial burden, which exacerbates the pressure of a difficult cricket season already.
A player who asked to remain anonymous voiced his displeasure, saying the team as a whole is being negatively impacted by the board's indecision on central contracts and payment delays. "We have been patient, but it's tough to focus on the game when you don’t know when your next paycheck is coming," he shared.
PCB's financial trouble
The player payments are not the only source of the PCB's financial difficulties. In addition, the board has not paid for sponsorship logos on players' jerseys. The issue has gotten worse as a result of these delays, and participants are now doubting the board's financial stability. There are many conjectures regarding the PCB's liquidity, particularly in light of its recent move to rescind earlier rulings that had cut player pay from their core contracts.
The PCB negotiated a central contract structure in 2023 that was intended to continue until 2026. The agreement includes increased pay as well as a three percent income sharing from the International Cricket Council (ICC). But a year into this deal, the board's poor oversight has caused delays, raising concerns about the PCB's stability among players and supporters alike.
