ISLAMABAD: Several Pakistani cricketers have reportedly not received their salaries for the past four months, as contract talks with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) continue to stall.
As per the media reports, the delay has frustrated Pakistani cricketers, especially those who had successfully negotiated better terms last year but now find themselves in a vulnerable position due to the team’s recent poor performance.
The PCB had originally agreed to provide central contracts to 25 players last year after protracted negotiations.
However, despite these agreements, the current situation has changed dramatically. Players were not paid salaries from July to October and further delays resulted in reminders to the PCB. Also, players have not received their share of sponsorship deals for months.
The continued poor performance of the national team has left the players in a weak negotiating position. The lack of players’ association has added to their struggles.
Cricketers like Babar Azam, who earlier played a key role in the negotiations with the PCB, now find themselves unable to leverage their position, especially as they struggle with their form.
Sources have revealed that PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi is taking a tough stand on contract negotiations, refusing to bow to pressure from even the top players. He has directed that no player, irrespective of his seniority, will get a contract without passing a strict fitness test.