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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has recently come under scrutiny for reducing match fees for domestic women cricketers, a move that has sparked criticism and raised concerns about the board's commitment to women's cricket. This decision coincides with reports of pay cuts for domestic men cricketers, further fueling the controversy. The reduction in match fees, from PKR 25,000 to PKR 20,000 (approximately USD 71), was revealed amidst a series of communication errors and attempts at damage control by the PCB. While the board publicly announced an increase in the number of contracted domestic cricketers for the 2024-25 season, from 79 to 90, the reality is that the in-hand pay for these players has decreased. This discrepancy between public statements and actual financial allocations has led to accusations of misleading the public and undermining the development of women's cricket in Pakistan. The reduction in earning opportunities has been identified as a significant factor contributing to the high dropout rate among domestic women cricketers, with many players leaving the sport within two years due to financial constraints. The limited playing opportunities, coupled with low pay, make it difficult for players to sustain themselves and pursue cricket as a viable career option.
The latest domestic contract list includes 10 capped Pakistani players, 62 emerging players, and 18 Under-19 players. Notably, Nida Dar and Aliya Riaz, both regular members of the national team and in Dar's case former captain, were initially excluded from the central contracts, a decision that was later reversed after considerable criticism. This highlights the inconsistencies and lack of transparency in the PCB's decision-making processes. Furthermore, the domestic contracts were delayed by almost nine months, and the monthly retainers offered to the players, amounting to PKR 35,000 (approximately USD 125), are less than the mandated minimum pay for unskilled laborers in Pakistan, which stands at PKR 37,000. This raises serious questions about the PCB's prioritization of women's cricket and its adherence to basic labor standards. Adding to the financial burden, players have reportedly not been paid any daily allowances this season. The PCB has declined to comment on these issues, further exacerbating the situation and fueling speculation about the board's true intentions. The lack of transparency and accountability has eroded trust among the players and the public, making it increasingly difficult to attract and retain talent in women's cricket.
The limited playing opportunities further compound the financial challenges faced by domestic women cricketers. Across the three domestic tournaments organized by the PCB for senior women, a player can participate in a maximum of 31 days of cricket, assuming they are selected for every game and their team reaches the final of each tournament. This translates to a maximum potential earning of PKR 1,040,000 (approximately USD 3700) per season, including retainers and match fees. However, for players who do not regularly feature in the playing XI, the match fees are reduced to PKR 10,000 (approximately USD 35), significantly diminishing their earning potential. Moreover, the costs associated with maintaining a professional cricketing career, such as personal training, managed diets, and equipment, can amount to PKR 600,000 annually. Many players are forced to compromise on these aspects of their development due to financial constraints, hindering their progress and widening the gap between Pakistani women cricketers and their international counterparts.
The article further highlights the significant disparity in investment in women's cricket compared to other countries. While the PCB's revenue share from the International Cricket Council (ICC) is comparable to that of Cricket Australia, the investment in women's cricket is vastly different. Cricket Australia allocates significantly more resources to the development of women's cricket and provides far better earning opportunities for its national and domestic players. Under the 2023 deal between Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers' Association, Australian domestic players who do not play for the national team earn an average of approximately USD 96,000 annually, nearly 25 times higher than what a Pakistani domestic player can potentially earn. This disparity is further highlighted by comparing Pakistan to India, where the lowest price for a player in the Women's Premier League is INR 10 lac (approximately USD 11,500) for a three-week tournament, and the highest earning domestic player makes INR 2 Crore (approximately USD 230,500). Even New Zealand Cricket, which receives less funding from the ICC than the PCB, offers better salaries to its women cricketers.
The article emphasizes that the issue is not solely about financial constraints but also about the lack of prioritization and investment in women's cricket development. While the PCB claims to have increased spending on women's cricket, there is little evidence of significant improvements in facilities, infrastructure, or earning opportunities. The social challenges faced by Pakistani women aspiring to play cricket are already substantial, and the PCB's neglect further exacerbates these challenges. The concerns range from low pay and delayed payments to limited game time and abrupt changes in domestic structures. The lack of a supportive environment and adequate resources hinders the development of women's cricket and contributes to Pakistan's consistently low ranking among Full Member teams. The article concludes by highlighting the urgent need for the PCB to address these issues and prioritize the development of women's cricket in Pakistan, ensuring that female cricketers are given the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential.
The situation is further complicated by the preferential treatment given to male cricketers in Pakistan. Even with the proposed revisions, the expenses of men's match fees vastly exceed the entire women's cricket budget. As per the released details on Twitter by Rashid Latif, match fees expenses for men cricketers senior and under 19, amounts to USD 390,361, far greater than the entire budget for women cricket of USD 250,060. In addition, male domestic cricketers receive significantly more game time through league cricket compared to their female counterparts. This is very problematic and needs to be addressed. The situation must drastically improve if Pakistani women are expected to rise among the ranks of international cricket.