PCB concedes to Babar Azam & Co’s demands before Asia Cup

Good news for Pakistan cricket. The players vs PCB logjam is almost over and it’s a victory for Babar Azam & Co. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Zaka Ashraf will be visiting Sri Lanka to talk to the senior players on the Pakistan Cricket Central contract ahead of Asia Cup 2023. As things stand, PCB has conceded to players’ demand on allowing players in more than one overseas T20 league.

To note, Babar Azam & Co have been playing without any central contract for the last two months. While PCB tried to steamroll the process, announcing a mega hike in players’ salaries, it did not work out. Players were not happy with the restrictions put on playing overseas T20 leagues which offer mega-money contracts. However, with salary hike and flexibility in different clauses, a deal is expected to be completed before Asia Cup 2023.

But now, players and the PCB have found common ground on the NOCs (No-objection certificates). Instead of just one overseas T20 league, Grade A players can opt for two. For non-contracted players, they can play as many as they want provided it does not clash with national team matches if they are called upon.

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As per ESPNCricinfo sources, players and the PCB wanted to follow a “common sense approach with a view not to prevent players from earning”.

Pakistan Cricket Central Contract: Contentious issues

• Babar Azam & Co were not happy with how unsettled the board was.
• With every new Prime Minister, there has been a change in the PCB office bearers and their ideas too.
• With Najam Sethi lasting just three months after Ramiz Raja was removed, Zaka Ashraf took charge.
• Players have not been happy with the retainership either. While PCB is not amongst the richest cricket boards, the players certainly are some of the most popular worldwide. But they have not been equally compensated.
• With mushrooming T20 leagues, they have a chance, especially with ILT20. However, PCB was in no mood to relent and allow players.
• This time, PCB put up a clause where Grade A players could only play one overseas T20 league.
• Now after players refused to accept that, PCB has relented. Grade A players like Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi and Muhammad Rizwan can now opt for two overseas leagues.
• Shaheen Afridi played in The Hundred and will also play in ILT20 League in UAE.
• Currently, PCB has greater control over players’ image rights. But the likes of Babar Azam & other players want flexibility with signing non-exclusive sponsorship deals.
• Players currently cannot sign contracts with any other soft drinks company like Coca-Cola with Pepsi being a long-term PCB sponsor.

Zaka Ashraf is currently in Sri Lanka before Asia Cup 2023 to discuss the contract issues with players.

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