LAHORE: Despite a reduction in the number of teams leading to a lesser number of matches in the reformed domestic cricket structure, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will inject over Rs1 billion this season.

A heavy chunk from it has been allocated for the welfare of players by providing them unprecedented remunerations, based on enhanced retainers, match-fees, allowances, and prize money which can bring a spike by more than Rs2 million in a player’s bank statement over the course of upcoming season.

As per the new model, the six cricket associations will provide year-long contracts to 32 players each to provide them stable income. The 192 contracted players will earn Rs600,000 per annum on the basis of Rs50,000 monthly retainers. Previously, regional cricketers at the first-class level were solely reliant on match fees.

The PCB, this season, has also bettered their per match remunerations. For the better understanding, a breakdown is provided below.

First XI, Quaid-e-Azam Trophy (first-class) playing XI: Rs75,000, Pakistan Cup One-day Tournament playing XI: Rs40,000, National T20 Cup playing XI: Rs40,000

The players turning out for the cricket Associations’ second XIs, U-19s, and city associations will also see a rapid surge in their earnings.

Second XI, non first-class tournament playing XI: Rs30,000, One-Day Cup playing XI: Rs15,000, T20 Cup playing XI: Rs15,000, U-19 sides, three-day playing XI: Rs10,000, One-day playing XI: Rs5,000

The 32 contracted players will also receive daily allowances, along with bed and breakfast in shape of three and four-star accommodations, lunches at venues and economy-class flights (when travelling inter-province).

The prize money for domestic events has also been increased manifold. The winning prize money for the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy has been increased by 233 per cent, whereas there has been a surge of 150 and 100 per cent in the prize money of Pakistan Cup and National T20 Cup.

The winners of the country’s premier first-class tournament, Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, will be awarded Rs10 million and the runners-up will get Rs5 million. Another Rs5 million will be handed out to tournament’s top-performers and the man-of-the-final will take Rs50,000 home.

The winners of the Pakistan Cup one-day tournament and the National T20 Cup will get Rs5 million, and the runners-up will bag half of it. The man-of-the-final for both the events will be awarded Rs35,000.

The top performers for the apex one-day tournament will get a share from the pool of Rs250,000. For the T20 tournament, it would be from Rs100,000.

Published in Dawn, September 2nd, 2019