Pakistan cricketers seek overhaul of central contracts
.jpg)
[ad_1]
The central contracts of Pakistan cricketers for the 2022-23 period expired on June 30th. There were talks of a possible one-month extension, but so far, no agreement has been signed. During this time, the players have raised various concerns that they wish to discuss with Zaka Ashraf, the head of the PCB management committee.
One significant issue the players are raising is their remuneration. The previous management committee had suggested a 45% increase, but the players are seeking more than just a raise. They believe that a complete overhaul of their contracts is necessary because they feel they are being underpaid compared to cricketers from other countries. According to a recent research report, even players like Babar Azam, ranked as the number one ODI batter, do not rank among the top 10 highest-earning cricketers globally. The players want the PCB to conduct its own research and establish a system that ensures their financial security in the future.
Another demand from the players is the inclusion of family health insurance and education policies within their contracts. They fear that in the event of a career-ending injury, they might not have sufficient support or assistance. The players are also seeking a share in the revenue generated from ICC events and want the PCB to disclose the list of sponsors, so they can also benefit from the association.
Transparency in dealing with No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for participating in foreign leagues is another critical concern for the players. The current process involves taking the head coach's opinion into account, followed by the decision of the Director International Cricket, which often leads to frustrating delays. The players want a specific timeline for responses to plan their commitments accordingly, and if the board denies them participation in a league, they should be compensated for it.
Recently, the players questioned the fairness of a fee of $25,000 per player asked by the PCB for participation in leagues in Canada and the USA. Some players found the fee excessive, especially considering their existing contracts were only worth $5,000.
The players also expressed their dissatisfaction with the past practices where they were given lengthy central contracts but were not allowed to keep a copy for themselves or consult with their lawyers. However, this changed last year, and they were provided copies of their contracts upon insistence.
The players have hope that Zaka Ashraf will take their concerns seriously and address them positively. They intend to meet with him, and some senior players are also looking forward to discussing these issues with him upon their return to the country.
Comments
Post a Comment