Recent achievements on the pitch by the Pakistan cricket team, have been overshadowed by off-field controversies and tensions with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). As the World Cup 2023 beckons, Pakistani players are reportedly considering boycotting the sponsor logos on their jerseys due to unresolved payment issues with the PCB.
According to a source in Cricket Pakistan, there's been a delay of four months in the players receiving their monthly retainers and match fees. This has resulted in silent protests by the team until now. As the World Cup 2023 approaches, the intensity of the protest might escalate, with players contemplating a more visual form of dissent by avoiding sponsor logos on their jerseys.
One player, wishing to remain anonymous, expressed the team's sentiment, stating they'd willingly play for free for the nation but refuse to wear sponsor logos affiliated with the PCB, given the delays in their payments. This sentiment was further compounded with threats of potentially skipping ICC-related media events during the World Cup, which could potentially tarnish the image of both the PCB and the national team.
"We are willing to represent Pakistan for free, but our question is why we should promote sponsors' logos that are affiliated with the board. Similarly, we may decline to participate in promotional activities and other events. During the World Cup, we won't engage in ICC's commercial promotions and activities either,” an unnamed Pakistan cricketer told Pakistan Cricket.
Insiders reveal that top-tier players were promised a substantial monthly retainer fee of PKR 4.5 million. However, after deductions, this amount is considerably reduced, leading to the current disagreements. The players are also pushing for a share in the revenue that PCB obtains from the ICC and sponsors. The PCB, however, believes the current contracts are fair, suggesting that external influences, perhaps players' agents, are altering the players' perspective.
Despite these challenges, the Pakistan cricket team's journey to India for the World Cup 2023 is imminent. They're set to begin their campaign with warm-up matches, facing New Zealand in Hyderabad on September 29. Their official tournament journey begins against the Netherlands on October 6. All eyes will undoubtedly be on their much-anticipated match against arch-rivals India, scheduled for October 14 in Ahmedabad.
This unfolding saga emphasizes the need for effective dialogue and resolution between the players and the PCB to ensure Pakistan's cricketing prowess remains undiminished on the global stage.
