The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has drastically slashed match charges for gamers taking part within the upcoming Nationwide T20 Cup. Gamers within the event will likely be paid match charges of PKR 10,000 (approx. US$ 35), a 75% fall from the final version of the identical event, the place gamers have been paid PKR 40,000 match charges.
Since then, the PCB has embarked upon costly however essential stadium upgrades, employed – and shortly after let go – overseas coaches on costly contracts, in addition to 5 mentors on PKR 5 million a month every, in addition to internet hosting a one-day home event that elevated the prize cash to members tenfold.
A PCB official advised ESPNcricinfo, nevertheless, that the choice to chop match charges so drastically for the Nationwide T20 Cup was not an end result of monetary issues. As a substitute, the PCB feels the gamers’ incomes alternatives over the season have risen with extra tournaments within the home calendar, together with the Champions T20 Cup, which befell in December 2024 (however with solely 5 groups).
The Champions Cup format of 5 elite groups of gamers is replicated in each a 50-over and first-class event. With quite a few gamers additionally employed by a division (for tournaments such because the President’s Trophy) which pays them a month-to-month wage, the board believes the drop in match charges didn’t quantity to an general drop of their earnings.
The Nationwide T20 Cup begins on March 14, with 39 matches throughout three cities: Faisalabad, Lahore and Multan. The ultimate will happen in Faisalabad on March 27. A number of main Pakistan worldwide cricketers will likely be unable to function, with the nationwide aspect having left for New Zealand for 5 T20Is and three ODIs.
