Contract row hits Pakistan ahead of World Cup
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KARACHI: Pakistan cricket authorities and players on Monday said they were working at resolving a potentially destabilising contract row just weeks away from the World Cup.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) earlier this month announced it would extend existing annual contracts for another three months, apparently wanting to give the next set of long-term contracts on the basis of performances during cricket's premier tournament, which is this year hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
But the players, including skipper Misbah-ul Haq, have refused to go along with the makeshift arrangement.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a senior player told AFP: “First the board has drafted a short-term contract and secondly the incentives given to the players have been changed, so we are in talks with the board to solve the matter”.
A PCB spokesman confirmed the matter was being negotiated and said that it had acted in line with its own rules.
“There were some reservations which we are sure will be resolved in the next couple of days,” said the spokesman.
“As per the rules these contracts are extendable by 180 days which is what has been done.”
The PCB had added newcomers Sohail Khan, a medium-pacer, and leg spinner Yasir Shah to the existing list of 31 players who were awarded central contracts in A, B and C category on the basis of performance and seniority last year.
Former players and officials have termed the central contract row as “damaging” with the World Cup just three weeks away.
The 11th edition of the 50-over mega event runs from February 14 to March 29.
Pakistan will fly to Australia on February 5 to play two World Cup warm-up matches on February 9 and 11.
They start their World Cup campaign with a highly charged match against arch-rivals and defending champions India in Adelaide on February 15.
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Comments (84) Closed
Jan 26, 2015 07:45pm
Well no wonder why we have so many pakistani cricketers in India.
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Jan 26, 2015 07:49pm
Seriously what is wrong with PCB. All these PCB employee talk sensible on TV channels when they are unemployed, but moment they are selected for a admin position, their common sense goes down the drain. Who would bring a contract issue when the world cup is knocking at the door. Our team is already very weak, no bowling attack, batting is so bad that it requires no comments, so whatever the little motivation players had has been taken away by the board.
Bravo PCB. Good Thinking.
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Jan 26, 2015 07:49pm
BCCI Damn you,you are the root cause.Am I right??
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Jan 26, 2015 07:50pm
Days before the start of the worldcup such demands are just blackmailing. So sad
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Jan 26, 2015 07:50pm
@Spiky for example?
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Jan 26, 2015 07:53pm
G8 news from India prospective
India should be looking to win the first match against Pakistan with the help of Pakistan only.
Rest akram and shoib Akhtar are there to help Indians
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Jan 26, 2015 07:54pm
I hope people do not blame India for this too
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Jan 26, 2015 07:55pm
Shame! No loyalty to team or nation, these corrupt players only want MONEY....no wonder they fix matches and BETRAY the trust of the nation. In such emergency situation, when pakistan as a nation is low on money, such players should understand the necessity of the hour and work for the NATION AND NOT for MONEY.
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Jan 26, 2015 07:57pm
these cricketers are playing simply for their personal interests......they seem more like greedy vultures........the country is on the verge of bankruptcy, can barely pay off the debt and these players dare to exploit........shameful..........the country should shutdown cricket for a few years.........may be those savings could be redirected to education and health.
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Jan 26, 2015 08:08pm
A moral booster for the players by shortsighted cricket board
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Jan 26, 2015 08:10pm
No security
No health (polio)
No petrol
No electricity
and soon no cricket team lol
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Jan 26, 2015 08:23pm
How can this team win a world cup, who is so concerned about money, such an odd stance of the players...come on guys....where are your emotions of love to the nation....very sad though...
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Jan 26, 2015 08:31pm
I agree with the Board on this. Most of them are useless and below average. They should be given a three week contract if possible. The "A" category should be given extension for 180 days as per rules. This proves that the selection was COMPROMISED by corruption and Incompetency.
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Jan 26, 2015 08:32pm
@Omair Wasim Akram, Shoaib Malik boht spend their time in India, if given chance to other Pakitani Players for IPL they will come too
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Jan 26, 2015 08:33pm
I mean retired cricketers.
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Jan 26, 2015 08:35pm
@Omair Shoib Akhtar works for Star Sports, Wasim Akram works for Star Sports and is associated with KKR, Injamamul haq has worked for ABP news and Ramiz Raza has been commentary for us for god knows how many years.
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Jan 26, 2015 08:36pm
We have a world class team... look at Afridi who is well up in his thirties and still making Pakistan win all the time. Misbah is a class act, increasing the scoring tempo the moment he enters. Then there is Umar Akram who is wild and hungry for runs he cannot get. We are world beaters, just ask the Indians. This is the right time to negotiate as Pakistan's economy is also an equally sound footing. The best team in the world must be paid what it deserves. Match fixing is a separate issue.
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Jan 26, 2015 08:37pm
The state of affair of PCB is no different than the government of Pakistan. Hravard Business School has done a research on corporate governance, it indicates that when a business is losing money its due to the inefficiency of the management. The inefficiency stems from a top-heavy management model that is both cumbersome and costly. The article says "let's fire all the managers. "
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Jan 26, 2015 08:37pm
welcome to land kingdom of Noristan
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Jan 26, 2015 08:40pm
Needlesss controversies. They should just lie low, and review the situation after the team retursn. It is pointlesss to inolve a team in this mess before the wc. shame
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Jan 26, 2015 08:48pm
Speechless.
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Jan 26, 2015 08:53pm
Tell me one thing which has gone right since PML N arranged their mandate? Then how could one blame the players when the entire Parliament is doing what you all are accusing these players of.
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Jan 26, 2015 09:09pm
We need a complete overhaul of the PCB and cricket in Pakistan. The country is in chaotic state for past so many years. We can not compare the compensations compare to other more normal countries. It is sad to see the overall situation and the people of the country where majority has no basic and acceptable living conditions and we are putting so much efforts on cricket. By the way I'm a long time lover of cricket but enough is enough, build up the country, character then play cricket.
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Jan 26, 2015 09:09pm
BCCI is behind this......ICC behind this..
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Jan 26, 2015 09:18pm
@Spiky... These cricketers are asking the money while failing to perform. Hafeez, Younis, Wahab Riaz, Misbah and Afridi (after retirement ) have no future after world cup...On what basis they are asking for a longer contract. PCB never refuse the contract instead PCB want to review it after 3 months... Now on your points:
Shoaib Akhtar & Wasim Akram works for Star Sports as they are giving a service to the channel. Same with Rameez he is an excellent commentator and you need him.
Inzamam ul Haq(not Injaamaul haq) also a need of ABP.
Wasim Akram is training your bowlers at KKR and made KKR IPL champion.
If you don't need these guys why your channels and media are keep calling them????
Have a look on this list of indians who fall in love with Pakistanies: Deny if you can.
1 .Imran Khan and Zeenat Aman
2. Mohsin Khan and Reena Roy
3. Zaheer Abbas and Rita Luthra
4. Sonali Bendre and Shoaib Akhtar
5. Shoaib Malik and Sania Mirza
6. Wasim Akram and Sushmita Sen
7. Tammana Bhatia and Abdul Razzaq
8. Nonita Lall and Faisal Qureshi
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Jan 26, 2015 09:25pm
This is all because of the stupid BCCI India.
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Jan 26, 2015 09:26pm
@Spiky ........... in India ? when where and where they played last ??????????????????? wake up spiky.
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Jan 26, 2015 09:28pm
Wow PCB great timing, I wonder if they have ever use the common sense.
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Jan 26, 2015 09:29pm
Look at their performance, and they demanded long term contracts to stay in the team??? Their contract WILL extend IF they perform.
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Jan 26, 2015 09:32pm
so yet another lackluster performance by our board....
they are giving everything but the right answer. as to why PCB have conniving deeds to cut short the period of contract just when team is about to fly down-under.
what a pity, a gutless act in demoralizing the players before mega event. PCB caught again in no man's land ...
Ramiz your take now to bash PCB... you were very clean about Amir's return ? on the pretext he cheated nefariously. now, what about this saga of PCB where they have injured entire team deceitfully and willfully. any say ?
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Jan 26, 2015 09:36pm
@rashid Well said
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Jan 26, 2015 09:44pm
My god ! Real face of cricketers ?
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Jan 26, 2015 09:45pm
What a serious joke?
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Jan 26, 2015 09:51pm
The players are disposable commodity. As along as the administrators are being paid, and their families are being flown on public money, we are good to go. No problem winning the cup.
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Jan 26, 2015 09:52pm
Worst move from Pakistan Cricket Board. Pakistan hopes are gone before entering the tournament.
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Jan 26, 2015 09:54pm
@Sara Y . Have some sense of justice please. The question to ask is why were these contract extensions left for the last minute before the world cup. Its PCB's incompetency - don't blame the players for it
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Jan 26, 2015 09:57pm
wow... perfect timing PCB. Great confidence boost for a team already struggling.
What else do you expect
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Jan 26, 2015 10:00pm
PCB should take a stand and call off the tour and not give in to these money minded players who do not know how to keep the interest of the country foremost in mind.
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Jan 26, 2015 10:07pm
Pakistan Cricket team, another Liability for the nation, just like PIA.
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Jan 26, 2015 10:09pm
Good omen for world cup quick exit.job will be done without wasting many days.
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Jan 26, 2015 10:11pm
Last nail in world cup coffin
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Jan 26, 2015 10:15pm
No matter what you do they will still lose the matches.its andheir nagree chopat raj.May be this matter can also go to military court.
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Jan 26, 2015 10:15pm
No long term contracts for them. They will only reach quarter finals, and after they will be back home. After the tournament good of them will be out for good.
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Jan 26, 2015 10:36pm
Disgusting, the timings from PCB.
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Jan 26, 2015 10:42pm
Those who are blaming players should try and recall when was the last time Pakistani players demanded anything like this before? Our players do not have any track record of a union-like behavior. These players are not money-hungry, they need some sense of security. Which other board has extended a contract like this? Look at what the WI team did on their recent tour to IND. If PCB has shortage of money, which I do not believe is the case then why not start with reducing perks of those who have been with the board for many years but have contributed nothing, like Intekhab Alam.
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Jan 26, 2015 10:56pm
Good decision by PCB. If they don't perform don't renew the contract. If they don't wanna play , let it be . Find replacememt , they might win you a cup.
This lot won't be making after quarter finals anyways .
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Jan 26, 2015 11:05pm
After oil and power now cricket crises !
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Jan 26, 2015 11:05pm
They should be all sacked. Most of them are multi millionares already. If they are going to selfish and greedy like the politicians they should be kicked out.
The whole squad should've spent a week in Sachin with foj to learn what patriotism means.
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Jan 26, 2015 11:25pm
I support my team- Pakistan. But unfortunately, not this time. A common sense should prevail. Perform first then ask for raise/contract. Good luck in the WC!
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Jan 26, 2015 11:27pm
Big 3 conspiracy. India wud thrash Pakistan in the world cup.
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Jan 26, 2015 11:31pm
@Tanveer What has the bcci to do with pcb contracts with its own players. The bcci has its own issues with srinivasan at its helm.
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Jan 26, 2015 11:34pm
I bet this team will not perform at all. I wish they do well but i see a repeat of 2007 performance for this team with a shameful early exit
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Jan 26, 2015 11:44pm
C'mon guys... this is an issue between employee(s) (Players) and Employer (PCB). Don't make it a patriotic issue. Also... why are you guys making this an issue between Pak vs Ind... shame on you.
Players deserve to get paid very well. They are the ones that are going to perform and win games. Which in turn will increase the value of this cricket team for coverage... which in return will make $$$ for the board. If any player is not performing then selection committee should drop them from the team. So, they have every right to negotiate a good contract in their favor. They work hard... go through lots of injuries and retire between 35 - 40 years of age. I think contract issue should not be left to deal with a month before the World Cup anyway. PCB should have ironed this out at least 3 months before this mega event.
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Jan 27, 2015 12:02am
It's a big shame that PCB is doing to Pakistan Cricket. It's time to kick politically-backed members.
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Jan 27, 2015 12:06am
If I was the PCB chairman I would fire anyone who doesn't want to play in World Cup and send over a new team that does want to go. It's not like these seniors are winning us the World Cup. And thier illegemate demands are totally in called for . There are youngsters sitting on sidelines just wanting to make a go . The problem is seniors know that can't perform therefore that don't want these short term contracts
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Jan 27, 2015 12:10am
There seems to be nothing wrong in the policy that new contracts will be based on the performance in the world cup. Why the players want the new contracts before world cup ? Go and play and prove your worth and then ask for more incentives. You are already getting more than you deserve.
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Jan 27, 2015 12:11am
Greed is a bottomless pit which exhausts the person in an endless effort to satisfy the need without ever reaching satisfaction.
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Jan 27, 2015 12:48am
You go BOYS !!!!
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Jan 27, 2015 12:48am
Oh come on what is wrong with pakistan?
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Jan 27, 2015 12:57am
This is widespread problem in cricket. Only three boards (BCCI, CA, ECB) are generating profits. Rest all are struggling and essentially surviving from the TV revenues they get from India's tours. PCB is also trying to push the BCCI to tour Pakistan (i.e., play in their makeshift home in Dubai). WI players already declared an open revolt against their board. SL, BD players also have regular disputes with their boards on contracts and compensation. It is an inevitable reality that Cricket is evolving into a corporate sport played between clubs and franchises and in the future fewer and fewer games will be played between nations. I don't blame the players. Its a professional sport, players have a narrow shelf-life to secure their futures. They have every right to be treated as professional sportsmen.
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Jan 27, 2015 01:38am
@Anupam India does not need this news to win. Based on the team's performance against NZ A team, I wil be surprised if Pakistan wins any game against accredited teams.
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Jan 27, 2015 01:44am
@Spiky peep into your own self. Do some soul searching
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Jan 27, 2015 01:47am
Greed is the mother of all ills and it stays on top of all the misdeeds we commit in our country. These are the blackmailers of the country's pride and they can never win this World Cup.
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Jan 27, 2015 01:52am
@Raqib Why don't you give up your day job and work for the country...without any guarantee of being paid?
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Jan 27, 2015 02:11am
It is interesting to see people commenting on how this is blackmail and that the players are showing their real face etc.
Cricket is a professional sport and even though these players are representing Pakistan, they make a living out of cricket. IF the contract that is being offered to them is unsuitable they have all the right to complain and demand a modification.
As far as the timing goes, that blame should go on PCB, as they announced the new contract structure at such a sensitive time. PCB should have been smart enough to announce the contracts at a time when the world cup was not a month out.
It is easy to complain about the players when it is not our monthly salary that is at stake :)
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Jan 27, 2015 02:29am
Please make quick deal- and sensible deal. It is world cup we are waiting anxiously.
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Jan 27, 2015 03:00am
Let me be the devil's advocate and if I may ask why senior players like Misbah or Afridi are worried about central contracts when they have already announced retirement? Younis should be more happy that he is playing for Pakistan when someone else should have been there.
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Jan 27, 2015 03:12am
@Raqib it's not about money, it's about their salary contracts. Senior players are showing support to juniors here because they will lose out. Its huge moral issue. Expect three or four players, we don't pay them a huge amount any way. They have lives outside cricket like you and me, probably a bit more busier, requiring personal security, guests, training etc, all comes at an expense.
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Jan 27, 2015 03:25am
Tell these beggars they might get a couple of IPL matches. That will compensate them for their whole career and they can focus on WC!
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Jan 27, 2015 04:28am
Australia, India and England are playing a 3 way tourny in Australia, Newzealand and Sri Lanka are battling it out in NZ, and we are fighting over money. I think Pakistan's world cup campaign is off to a great start!
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Jan 27, 2015 04:38am
Such a shame...so much talent down the drain due to pettiness.. No one to blame but themselves...Sad for Pakistan cricket and sad for world cricket
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Jan 27, 2015 05:11am
@Spiky name one.
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Jan 27, 2015 05:35am
pathetic!
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Jan 27, 2015 06:36am
@Raqib You have enough money for your generals to live the life of Kings yet don't feel ashamed to swindle cricketers.
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Jan 27, 2015 06:40am
Shame on PCB. How do you expect the player to stay focus if they are going to be out of a job after the WC. Might as well withdraw the team without any further embarrassment losing to a NZ junior team in their first warm-up match.
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Jan 27, 2015 07:56am
Dont think its that big of a matter.
PCB tried to do some arm twisting like they are known for. Governance is not one of their strong points.
The players made their thoughts known to the PCB.
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Jan 27, 2015 07:58am
People are blaming BCCI????? The conspiracy theories will eat away this nation...(and why is DAWN blocking this comment since last night? Afraid to see the truth?)
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Jan 27, 2015 08:10am
Com'on Pakistan cricket board has no money left... please just play for the country and honour.
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Jan 27, 2015 08:19am
@Sara Y Exploit?? Remind me how you're working for free?
They need to be paid. They're human beings with responsibilities.
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Jan 27, 2015 08:22am
So how much PCB office bearers Subhan Ahmad, Shakil Sheikh and Mohammad Akram are getting for their performance based contract?Performance?
If performance is the criteria, then what about Waqar Yunus? ( a salary of 14 lakh rupees per month or 14000 US dollar per month). All fast bowlers are injured.Their strike rate is poor.No genuine high quality bowler has been spotted or groomed, since Shoaib Akhtar retired 4 years ago. Our coach is over weight, lethargic and had quit the PCB all of sudden pretending to have
some kind of mysterious body illness. This illness suddenly disappeared in Australia when he applied for the job of coach for Australian cricket team.
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Jan 27, 2015 09:01am
BCCI is paying around $100-$150K per year while PCB is paying their players $40-$60K per year. So the likes of Dhoni and Kohli are making 3 times as much as PCB top grade players. Can someone verify the numbers please.
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Jan 27, 2015 10:09am
@khopdee Please don't be so offensive after all they are Pakistanis too and deserve due respect.
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Jan 27, 2015 11:48am
Team's off the ground theatrics are more interesting...It is better to focus their energy on forthcoming world cup rather than crossing swords with PCB
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Jan 27, 2015 04:15pm
@Raqib What are you doing for the country. Have you got any proof of match fixing. Stop being stupid and putting base less accusations. They have all the right to ask for money. Do you work for free ??
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