The Pakistan Cricket Team is currently playing without a central contract during the Asia Cup 2023, but it is expected that an agreement will be reached before the World Cup 2023. The players’ central contracts expired on June 30, and they are participating in the SL vs PAK series without a deal in place. To address this issue, the players are seeking a meeting with PCB chief Zaka Ashraf to discuss their concerns and push for a revamp of the current system.
The problem of player contracts has been a long-standing issue since the days of Najam Sethi, but Zaka Ashraf is determined to resolve it. A meeting between Ashraf and the Pakistan Cricket Team has been proposed, during which the players will raise several demands.
They believe they are being underpaid compared to cricketers from other countries and are seeking competitive pay as compared to other cricket boards. They are also asking for family health insurance and an education policy, as well as a share of revenues from ICC events and transparency in the issuance of NOCs for foreign leagues’ participation.
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Currently, the Pakistan players are in Sri Lanka, participating in a two-Test series, followed by the Lanka Premier League. After the conclusion of the LPL 2023, the Asia Cup 2023 will take place in Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Talks with PCB about the contract demands are likely to take place after the team returns to Pakistan. The PCB aims to resolve the conflict before the World Cup 2023 to minimize distractions for the team.
Zaka Ashraf has instructed officials to ensure that the players’ legitimate needs are met, including an increase in match fees and monthly salary. The demand for insurance will also be considered, though using ICC money immediately might not be possible. A discussion on this matter will be held, according to Cricket Pakistan.