Fund-crunch PCB to embark on cost cutting exercise

Karachi, Mar 15 (PTI) Suffering from one of its worst
financial turmoil, the Pakistan Cricket Board has decided to
embark on a cost cutting exercise in its domestic cricket
programme.

According to details players, umpires and match referees
taking part in the ongoing national one-day championship were
unhappy at learning that the PCB is planning to reduce the
match fees and daily allowances considerably.

"Before we used to get Rs 5000 as fees per match and Rs
1000 as daily allowance, both now have been reduced," a player
told PTI on condition of anonymity.

He said the PCB had decided to reduce the match fees to
Rs 2500 and daily allowance to just Rs 500.

In a similar exercise, the board has also cut the umpires
and match referees' fees for the national one-day tournament
by approximately Rs 1000 per match.

The PCB subsidises the major part of the costs incurred
on domestic competitions involving the regional association
teams while the departments and banks are supposed to take
care of their own expenses.

"It is not just domestic cricket where the board is
trying to cut costs the exercise is also being applied in
administration and salaries of employees," he said.

The PCB has said it has lost considerable revenue due to
the cancellation of India's tour to Pakistan in January and
the relocation of the Champions Trophy from Pakistan.

Australia also pulled out of a Test tour last year,
leaving the PCB counting its losses because of the volatile
security situation in the country.

Although the International Cricket Council (ICC) has
assured the PCB of paying the hosting fees of USD 2.75 million
for the Champions Trophy wherever it is held this year, but
new hosts South Africa are challenging the payment to
Pakistan.

Interestingly, even when the four-day first class
competitions were held earlier in the season, the PCB had cut
the match fees and daily allowances of players to Rs 10,000
from around Rs 15 and Rs 20,000.

The former Director-General of PCB, Javed Miandad had
said he would ensure that the players are paid more for the
domestic first class games, but he resigned suddenly without
implementing his proposals.

Players have also complained that they have still not
received their dues from their new central contracts plus
their share of an annual logo sponsorship deal the PCB has
signed with Pepsi. The board is supposed to distribute 80
percent of the logo sponsorship deal to the cricketers. PTI
Cor
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