No raise for contracted cricketers

PCB gives till April 12 to sign six-month agreement.

KARACHI:

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has set April 12 as the deadline for the centrally-contracted players to sign the agreement spanning six months commencing from January 1.

While the contract entitles players to match fees, monthly stipends, bonuses and rewards, the amounts have remained stagnant for the last two years as the PCB, deprived of hosting international matches, has opted for the tight-fisted approach of late.

The contracts, offered to 15 players who featured in the recently-concluded World Cup and 4 other cricketers, will be offered again for the second part of the year, a decision that will be taken by the PCB’s special committee. The decision to increase allowances and stipends will also be taken by the board-appointed committee.

Meanwhile, the cricket board, keeping in view recent track records, has also decided to check players’ income and wealth tax returns.

Former captains Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Yousuf as well as leg-spinner Danish Kaneria were excluded from the list of players offered the central contract.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 8^th, 2011.