According to reports, the Pakistan Cricket Board is updating the central contracts to provide significant pay rises for Pakistani cricket stars like Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Rizwan.
The top players in Category A could now earn a monthly retainer of around PKR 4.5 million, nearly $16,000! That’s 4 times higher than previous contract amounts. PCB officials are calling this historic.
Lower-category players will also benefit. Category B retainers may go up to PKR 3 million monthly ($10,600 approx), while Categories C and D could get PKR 0.75-1.5 million ($2650-5300).
The PCB is changing last year’s central contract format that separated red-ball and white-ball players. Now the 4 categories will go back to the structure used 2 years ago.
Of course, the falling Pakistan rupee has reduced the spike in dollar terms. But the PCB’s revenues are set to more than double thanks to the ICC’s new payment model.
So despite currency challenges, Pakistan’s top cricketers are finally getting paid packages more in line with their value.
Pakistan Cricket Team will travel to India after seeking assurance from ICC
The Pakistan cricket team is expected to participate in the ICC World Cup 2023 in India after getting security clearance.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has asked the ICC to provide written guarantees regarding the team’s safety. This comes on the recommendation of a Pakistani government committee reviewing the World Cup plans.
The PCB will likely get the assurances it needs from the ICC and BCCI. The BCCI has already adjusted the tournament schedule to prioritize security for all competing teams and players.
So it looks like fans will get to enjoy India-Pakistan clashes at the World Cup! The arch-rivals always produce thrilling matches when they meet on cricket’s biggest stage.
While cross-border tensions remain, cricket diplomacy will pave the way for Pakistan’s participation. With safety measures in place, the PCB is expected to confirm their travel to India soon.
The ICC World Cup promises to be a spectacular event with all major teams in the fray. Pakistan’s presence will only add to the excitement and competitive spirit!
