Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Hasan Ali Demand an Increase in Match Fees from the PCB: Report

Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Hasan Ali Demand an Increase in Match Fees

Pic Courtesy PCB

Top According to a source, Pakistani players including skipper Babar Azam, wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan, allrounder Hasan Ali, and fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi have asked their cricket body to consider raising match costs.

According to a report published on cricketpakistan.com.pk, all four, who were recently granted ‘A' grade contracts by the PCB, have urged a top board official that their match costs should be reduced.

According to the report, these players are dissatisfied since their Test, ODI, and T20I match fees were not increased in the new central contracts.

In July, PCB released a performance-based central contract list for 20 players for 2021-22.Match costs across all forms were made the same for all categories, including three emerging cricketers.

Only four players were awarded Category A contracts: Babar, Rizwan, Hasan, and Shaheen, while other senior players, including former captains Azhar Ali and Sarfaraz Ahmed, were relegated to Grade B and C, respectively.

Veterans including as Muhammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, and Wahab Riaz have been denied contracts.

To provide uniformity across formats, the PCB increased Test, ODI, and T20 match costs in the B and C categories, but only the retainership portion was increased by 25% in Grade A.

However, in grade B, the Test match cost was increased by 15%, while the ODI and T20I remunerations were enhanced by 20% and 25%, respectively.

Similarly, in grade C, the retainer increased by 25%, the Test match cost increased by 34%, and the ODI and T20 International match fees increased by 50% and 67%, respectively.

According to the website, one of the senior players has already lodged a protest with PCB's Director International Cricket Zakir Khan, requesting an increase in the match money for Category A players.

While Zakir has not provided such guarantee, the veteran cricketer is certain that the board would not turn down his plea.

According to the article, the PCB denied that any cricketer had complained to them about their match money.