Pak cricketers set for pay boost

Lahore: Pakistan`s contracted players are set to get a pay boost of around 25 to 35 per cent from their cricket board (PCB) when the new central contracts list is announced.

"Intikhab Alam has been given the task of recommending an increase in pay scale keeping in mind players` performances and also the Board`s financial position. He has tentatively recommended an increase of 25 to 35 per cent," a senior PCB official said. The good news for the players is that not only will they get pay rise in their central contracts but also in their present match fees paid out on slab system. "The pay rise will definitely be incorporated in the central contracts but there are 90 per cent chances of this happening in the match fees as well," the official said. He said Intikhab would shortly send his recommendations to the PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf, who will give the final approval. "The matter has already been formally discussed in the governing council meeting where the feeling was that after three years, the players deserve a pay increase," the source added. Pakistani players are paid out monthly salaries in range of 250,000, 175,000 and 125,000 in their central contracts awarded in three categories while the senior-most player earns around 350,000 and 300,000 as Test match and ODI fees. The PCB also awards special win bonuses beside cash awards for individual performances while also paying out monthly stipends to the 20 best players of each regional association team in different categories for six months of the season. PTI