The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly slashed domestic players’ fees while pouring massive amounts of money into administrative expenses, raising concerns about its priorities.
Recent reports indicate that the PCB spent millions renovating three major cricket stadiums in Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Karachi—venues for the prestigious Champions Trophy. However, while these upgrades were given top financial priority, domestic players now face significant pay cuts, leading to growing discontent.
As per PTI, match fees for players participating in Pakistan’s National T20 Championship—set to begin on March 14 in Faisalabad—have been dramatically reduced. Previously, players earned PKR 100,000 per match, but this has now plummeted to just PKR 10,000 per game. Even worse, reserve players will receive only PKR 5,000 per match, making it clear that financial cuts are hitting them the hardest.
Unsurprisingly, this drastic pay reduction has left players frustrated, and there is speculation about whether they will take any action against the PCB.
The controversy doesn’t stop at match fees. Reports suggest that Abdullah Khurram Niazi, head of domestic cricket in Pakistan, has been steadily cutting back on facilities for domestic players over the past few months.
A source revealed that accommodations for players have been downgraded. While they were previously housed in four-star and five-star hotels, they are now placed in significantly cheaper lodging. Additionally, air travel benefits have been scaled down, forcing players to adjust to lower-quality travel and living conditions.
"The players who used to stay in luxury hotels are now being moved to budget accommodations. Even their air travel privileges have been reduced, along with their match fees," a source told PTI.
This situation has sparked widespread debate about whether the PCB is neglecting grassroots cricket in favor of high-profile events. With domestic players playing a crucial role in Pakistan’s cricket ecosystem, such cost-cutting measures could impact the future of local talent development.
