Ajmal says Pakistan cricketers are getting less money than their international counterparts. PHOTO: AFP
LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board must start paying its players more money for test appearances, according to top spinner Saeed Ajmal.
Ajmal told the Geo Super television channel that Pakistan cricketers were getting less money than their international counterparts.
"Players now want to just play one-day internationals and Twenty20 matches because they are earning more from these formats," he said. "We don't get the same financial rewards for playing tests.
"The problem is that in our country there is little difference in the fees paid out for all three formats and we are not playing as many tests compared to most other countries.
"I have played just 28 tests in six years so the opportunities to earn well from this format are less compared to ODIs or T20s," added Ajmal.
Pakistan play fewer tests than most because the other teams do not want to tour the country due to security concerns.
"I would advise our board to not only raise test match fees ... but also create a big difference in the fees paid for all three formats," said Ajmal, 35, who has taken 147 wickets in 28 tests and 146 wickets in 92 ODIs.
"Test cricket should form the basis for our doing well in the other formats. Unless we excel in the longer form we will face a crisis.
"There is too much Twenty20 cricket and that is hurting test cricket."
Pakistan host a two-test series against South Africa in the Middle East later this month. The first game in Abu Dhabi starts on Oct. 14.
COMMENTS (5)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
@nou: Reasons why our international cricketers are different from Engineers, Doctors etc.:
There are just 11 of them that play for the country at any one time. I imagine the total squads are a little larger but still the number is very small compared to the number of Engineers, Doctors etc. They are a scarce resource and hence command a premium price.
They can play for any country they choose. Meaning you have to offer internationally competitive wages if you want them to play for you. Keep in mind Pakistan is a pariah state and they can earn much more elsewhere.
If they don't get paid well they can and will turn to match fixing. We've seen how much shame that has brought to the country yet we still don't pay them well?
So these are the reasons they should be paid better for all forms of cricket.
then take Indian nationality and play for India's c-grade club..u can make more money than even u made in ur whole life up to now..
@nou: While I agree to your feeling partially but Saeed Ajmal has got a point there; if you read the whole story he is emphasizing on a pay difference for a one-day match and a 5-day match, which is almost equal now a days. Perhaps we may compare the difference in format-wise pay in other international teams for a better benchmark.
@nou: Did you really read the entire news item ? I seriously doubt!!!!!! Ajmal makes sense for increasing pay for test matches!!