- Pakistani cricketers finalize central contracts after negotiations, ensuring timely resolutions before the crucial ICC World Cup 2023 game.
In a momentous turn of events, Pakistani cricketers have officially put pen to paper on their central contracts in Kolkata, just ahead of a crucial ICC World Cup 2023 clash against Bangladesh on October 31. The delay in contract signing, which had stirred concerns on social media regarding overdue payments, has been attributed to negotiations between the players and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Fortunately, these negotiations have been successfully concluded, bringing relief to players awaiting their salaries for the past five months.
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A spokesperson from the PCB clarified that discussions between the board and players reached a resolution on the very day the team embarked on its journey to India for the World Cup. The subsequent distribution of hard copies of the contracts allowed players to finalize the deal by adding their signatures, marking the official commencement of the new central contracts era.
The central contracts, regarded as a historic agreement, introduce a substantial increase in remuneration, encompassing a portion of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) revenue. Notably, the contracts consolidate compensation for both red-ball and white-ball formats, reflecting a forward-looking approach by the PCB.
Categorizing players into four distinct tiers, the new contracts bring about remarkable pay hikes across the board.
Category A, which includes luminaries such as Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi, witnesses an impressive rise of 202%.
Meanwhile, Category B, featuring six players including Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, and Sarfaraz Ahmed, enjoys a generous increase of 144%.
Category C, housing talents like Abdullah Shafique and Imad Wasim, sees a 135% surge,.
While Category D, with 14 players including Hasan Ali and Faheem Ashraf, experiences a notable boost of 127%.
Beyond addressing concerns over delayed payments, these contracts signify a major milestone in bolstering financial incentives for Pakistan’s cricketing talents. As the players gear up for a crucial World Cup encounter against Bangladesh, the resolution of financial matters ensures that their focus can remain solely on the game. This development not only augurs well for the players’ morale but also underscores the commitment of the PCB to elevate the standards and rewards for cricket in the country.
