The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has significantly decreased the match fees for players participating in the upcoming National T20 Cup. Players will now receive PKR 10,000 per match, which is a substantial reduction from the previous edition where they earned PKR 40,000 per match.
This reduction is even more significant compared to 2022 when players received PKR 60,000 per match. Reserve players in the current tournament will be paid PKR 5,000 per match.
The decision to cut match fees is surprising given the PCB’s recent trend of high expenditure under Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. Despite earlier statements about investing PCB funds in players and Pakistan cricket, significant spending has been allocated to stadium upgrades, foreign coaches, mentors, and increased prize money for other domestic tournaments.
However, a PCB official stated that financial concerns were not the reason for the match fee reduction. Instead, the board believes that players have increased earning opportunities due to a larger number of domestic tournaments, including the Champions T20 Cup.
The PCB also argues that with the Champions Cup format being implemented in 50-over and first-class tournaments, and many players receiving monthly salaries from departmental teams, the reduced match fees do not represent an overall decrease in player earnings.
The National T20 Cup is scheduled to begin on March 14 and will feature 39 matches across Faisalabad, Lahore, and Multan, with the final in Faisalabad on March 27. Several prominent Pakistani international cricketers will be unavailable due to the national team’s tour to New Zealand.
