BoG 70th meeting: PCB announce details of 2022-23 domestic contracts and increase in match fees

[MenInG]

In line with its strategy and vision of incentivising high-performing domestic cricketers, encouraging them to embrace the game as a full-time professional sport and adding value to the local competitions, the Pakistan Cricket Board today announced details of the 2022-23 domestic contracts, which were approved by the Board of Governor (BoG) at its 70th meeting on Saturday. The contracts will run from September 2022 to August 2023 and the list of player names will be revealed in due course.

After Mr Ramiz Raja had announced an increase of PKR100,000 in retainers across all five categories upon being elected as the 34th PCB Chairman last September, the cricket board has again topped up the domestic retainers.

However, the biggest improvement is in the match fees, which have been increased with the objective of attracting star cricketers and inspiring them to maintain high standards so that they can continue to stay in the domestic contract categories.

Match fee of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy has been increased from PKR60,000 to PKR100,000, while match fee of the Pakistan Cup and the National T20 has been raised from PKR40,000 to PKR60,000, respectively. The non-playing members of the red and white-ball matches will now receive PKR40,000 (up by PKR16,000) and PKR20,000 (up by PKR4,000).

Likewise, match fee of the non-first-class four-day Cricket Associations Championship has been increased from PKR25,000 to PKR40,000, whereas the white-ball Cricket Associations Challenge and CA T20 match fee has been enhanced from PKR15,000 to PKR25,000. The non-playing members of the red and white-ball matches will receive PKR15,000 and PKR10,000, respectively.

The overall impact following these latest increases in retainers and match fees is that Category A+ and Category D players can now potentially earn between PKR4.3million and PKR6.1million respectively. However, to make these earnings, the players will have to maintain the expected fitness levels and perform consistently so that they can feature in all league matches of the National T20, Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and Pakistan Cup.

These are projected numbers and have been calculated on the basis of 30 league matches being played across the three major PCB events and without adding the impact of any prize moneys. The total prize money of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy is PKR17million with the winner receiving PKR10million, the champion of Pakistan Cup will earn PKR5million from a total purse of PKR9.3million and the winner of the National T20 will get richer by PKR5million from a total pool of PKR8.7million.

Similarly, players participating in the second division CA Championship (four-day non-first-class), CA Challenge (50-over) and CA T20 will have an opportunity to earn around PKR1.14million through match fees and daily allowance payments. When the players’ monthly retainers are added to these numbers, then it again becomes a substantial figure and should motivate them further to not only do better but also aspire to play in the three major events, which will not only enhance their earnings but also bring them one step closer selections in the national side.

PCB Director - High Performance, Nadeem Khan: “Domestic cricket is the backbone of Pakistan cricket and we need to continue to invest in it to make it a stronger and more attractive brand. In this relation, I am grateful to the BoG for supporting and approving the management’s recommendations.

“Already, the standard and quality of our domestic cricket, as acknowledged by our elite cricketers, has become challenging and competitive. This is following merit-based selections, quality playing facilities, excellent logistical arrangements, high-quality broadcast and extensive digital media coverage. I am sure these new financial incentives will take our domestic cricket forward and assist the PCB in further reducing the gap with international cricket.

“The retainers and match fees have been increased to motivate and inspire cricketers to work harder round-the-year to maintain the required and expected levels of fitness and form, which forms the basis of retaining places in the contract list. Besides, the new incentives will also encourage them to give preference to our tournament over foreign leagues. Needless to remind everyone, PCB domestic events are a pathway to selection in the national side.”

2022-23 domestic contract categories (player names to be announced in due course):

A+ (15 players) – PKR300,000 (up by PKR50,000)
A (35 players) – PKR200,000 (up by PKR15,000)
B (48 players) – PKR185,000 (up by PKR10,000)
C (70 players) – PKR170,000 (up by PKR5,000)
D (24 players) – PKR150,000 (up by PKR10,000)

2022-23 domestic events match fee

Quaid-e-Azam Trophy – PKR100,000 (11 playing members each); PKR24,000 (five non-playing members each)
Pakistan Cup – PKR60,000 (11 playing members each); PKR20,000 (five non-playing member each)
National T20 – PKR60,000 (11 playing members each); PKR20,000 (five non-playing member each)
CA Championship – PKR40,000 (11 playing members each); PKR10,000 (five no-playing members each)
CA Challenge – PKR40,000 (11 playing members each); PKR10,000 (five non-playing members each)
CA T20 – PKR40,000 (11 playing members each); PKR10,000 (five non-playing members each)

Projected earnings (after 30 Quaid Trophy, Pakistan Cup and National T20 league matches and without taking into account additional knockout matches and prize moneys):

Category Retainer Match fee Daily allowance Total
A+ PKR3,600,000 PKR2,200,000 PKR300,000 PKR6,100,000
A PKR2,400,000 PKR2,200,000 PKR300,000 PKR4,900,000
B PKR2,220,000 PKR2,200,000 PKR300,000 PKR4,720,000
C PKR2,040,000 PKR2,200,000 PKR300,000 PKR4,540,000
D PKR1,800,000 PKR2,200,000 PKR300,000 PKR4,300,000

Projected earnings (after 30 CA Championship, CA Challenge and CA T20 matches):

Category Retainer Match fee Daily allowance Total
A+ PKR3,600,000 PKR900,000 PKR240,000 PKR4,740,000
A PKR2,400,000 PKR900,000 PKR240,000 PKR3,540,000
B PKR2,220,000 PKR900,000 PKR240,000 PKR3,360,000
C PKR2,040,000 PKR900,000 PKR240,000 PKR3,180,000
D PKR1,800,000 PKR900,000 PKR240,000 PKR2,940,000

 

[Saj]

Summary of the changes

 

[MenInG]

So not a word on PM Sahib's glad tidings of Departments coming back?

Seems all a hogwash/eye candy.

 

[KingOfPakBreakfast]

So not a word on PM Sahib's glad tidings of Departments coming back?

Seems all a hogwash/eye candy.

Good. Absolutely don’t need departmental cricket back.

 

[Fenrir]

Departmental cricket is not the solution.If private and state companies want to support cricket then they can sponsor regional teams.They help with facilities eg equipment,gyms,grounds and coaches.They can also pay towards talent hunts.

 

[KingOfPakBreakfast]

Departmental cricket is not the solution.If private and state companies want to support cricket then they can sponsor regional teams.They help with facilities eg equipment,gyms,grounds and coaches.They can also pay towards talent hunts.

Exactly. You also cut out the cronyism element in one fell swoop. It’s not about who you know but how you perform. In departmental cricket, Umar Akmal would have defo played all of CP’s t20 games on account of being a senior. However, given that he hasn’t performed in recent times, he was rightly played in the 2nds.

There has also been evidence in the past where departments would lobby to change the domestic format to suit them. It was not meritocratic in the slightest. Currently there is atleast a defined pathway from the juniors to the seniors.

There is a legitimate question about the number of sides playing, because inshAllah as our domestic youth cricket gets better, we’ll need more places for the talent coming through.

 

[ChTab]

I hope this isn't going to be the last season of current format, hope we can have this setup for at least 15 years so everyone can see benefits of this system.

 

[MenInG]

The Pakistan Cricket Board today confirmed it, for the first time, has introduced retainers for its Supplementary Panel match officials. As such, all 23 match officials, including 15 umpires and eight match referees, in the panel will receive a monthly retainer of PKR25,000 during the 2022-23 season.

Previously, only match officials on the international and elite panel were on retainers, but the latest decision ensures all 43 match officials on the PCB panel are now being looked after by the game’s governing body in Pakistan. The retainers of the match officials on the international and elite panels are PKR132,250 and PKR69,575, respectively.

Apart from the retainers, the PCB also provides other benefits to its match officials during the cricket season, including match fees (PKR10,000 per day), daily allowances (PKR2,500 per day), four or five-star accommodation (whatever is available) as well as air and ground travel.

As such, a match official can earn up to PKR52,000 from a four-day match, including match day minus one daily allowance, while his earning from a limited overs match will be PKR15,000, including match day minus one daily allowance.

Furthermore, the scorers are also looked after by the PCB. For a domestic match, a scorer receives a match fee of PKR7,500 (per day) and a daily allowance of PKR2,500, whereas for a practice match, a scorer receives PKR1,500 (per day) as match fee and a daily allowance of PKR2,000. For outstation domestic and age-group matches, the PCB also provides logistical support to the scorers.

PCB Manager - Umpires and Referees, Bilal Qureshi: “The match officials are an important and integral part of our cricket structure and the PCB has always looked after them. To ensure they are valued and respected, the PCB has provided them top-quality accommodation and travel, while from this year, we have also introduced retainers for our supplementary panelists to align them with our international and elite panelists.

“It is our endeavor to attract more former cricketers to take up this noble profession and in this regard, we will continue to introduce various incentives.”

 

[Bewal Express]

Still too low and hence the poor expectations in terms of training and fitness.

 

[Bewal Express]

Exactly. You also cut out the cronyism element in one fell swoop. It’s not about who you know but how you perform. In departmental cricket, Umar Akmal would have defo played all of CP’s t20 games on account of being a senior. However, given that he hasn’t performed in recent times, he was rightly played in the 2nds.

There has also been evidence in the past where departments would lobby to change the domestic format to suit them. It was not meritocratic in the slightest. Currently there is atleast a defined pathway from the juniors to the seniors.

There is a legitimate question about the number of sides playing, because inshAllah as our domestic youth cricket gets better, we’ll need more places for the talent coming through.

Once the system settles down, we could look to have 2 more teams in the Premier competition. I would like at least 14 games a season for each team and a final for the top 2. We don't play enough FC cricket

 

[Markhor]

Once the system settles down, we could look to have 2 more teams in the Premier competition. I would like at least 14 games a season for each team and a final for the top 2. We don't play enough FC cricket

I think a bigger problem is the lack of FC cricket in the off-season especially if you don't land a County deal.

We should revive A tours so the best domestic performers can be tested in overseas conditions.

 

[Bewal Express]

I think a bigger problem is the lack of FC cricket in the off-season especially if you don't land a County deal.

We should revive A tours so the best domestic performers can be tested in overseas conditions.

Agreed but 10 games a season is too few. Look at England and you see more than 14, we have 10 and a final. The A tours have to be run to reward the young players for their performances during the previous season

 

[Saj]

The 70th Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was convened here on Saturday. Details of PCB Domestic Contracts 2022-23 where announced on Saturday and are available on the corporate website, while some of the other matters discussed are below:

Pakistan Junior League

The BoG endorsed complete ownership of the inaugural edition of the Pakistan Junior League (PJL) by the Pakistan Cricket Board, providing PCB the chance to present to the world and to all its commercial partners that the event has a high value as well as long term development benefits for not just the future of cricket in Pakistan but also for young cricketers.

The BoG supported the concept of the league, which revolves around creating an environment and opportunity for future generation of cricketers, building brands and assets as part of PCB’s strategy of self-sustenance and aligning such first-of-its-kind event with the PCB Pathways Programme.

The BoG emphasised on the smooth execution of the event delivery and advised the management to proactively explore commercial opportunities and unlock property options to strengthen the PJL brand further.

The first edition of the Pakistan Junior League will be played in Lahore from 6-21 October. Over 160 foreign cricketers had expressed interest to participate in the inaugural tournament, of which 24 foreign players from nine cricket boards were joined by 66 local players in the player draft that took place on 8 September. The six participating sides are: Bahawalpur Giants (Imran Tahir, mentor; Gordon Parsons, head coach), Gujranwala Giants (Shoaib Malik, mentor; Ijaz Ahmed, head coach), Gwadar Sharks (Viv Richards, mentor; Mushtaq Ahmed, head coach); Hyderabad Hunters (Daren Sammy, mentor; Abdul Razzaq, head coach), Mardan Warriors (Shahid Afridi, mentor; Abdur Rehman, head coach) and Rawalpindi Raiders (Colin Munro, mentor; Roby Radford (head coach).

Other matters:

The BoG also approved:

• Installation of hybrid pitches similar to ones being used at six England Test centres and the ECB’s National Performance Centre. A pitch each will be laid at the National Stadium, Gaddafi Stadium and National High Performance Centre, while the remaining 27 pitches will be laid at the other active club and first-class venues. Each hybrid pitch has a lifespan of more than 10 years and is easy to maintain

• Playing Conditions, Suspected/Illegal Bowling Action and Code of Conduct for Player and Player Support Personnel for the PJL which shall be applicable to the upcoming tournament as well

• Amendment to Model Constitutions for CAs and CCAs by removing management rights and veto powers of the Principal Sponsors in respect of certain appointments within the CA/CCAs.

• Regulations on the sanctioning of private cricket events in line with the ICC Regulations on the Sanctioning of Events and Player Release (approved in April 2022) which provide exclusivity and responsibility to each National Cricket Federation to retain control over cricket matches and events played within its territory.

 

[KingOfPakBreakfast]

I think a bigger problem is the lack of FC cricket in the off-season especially if you don't land a County deal.

We should revive A tours so the best domestic performers can be tested in overseas conditions.

I fully agree on the lack of A team tours. Whilst Wasim Khan tried to bring it into more prominence, the pandemic curtailed his efforts.

Rameez Raja it seems isn’t as invested in arranging these.

We should have one tour to a NZ/SA/Oz/Eng/WI every year. The board may see it as a sunk cost, but it’s how you keep the B team players progressing. Post PSL to June is a prime time to do these. You can make allowances for players on county deals, but good to use the other players on A tours. Given that the IPL happens at this time, it’s a good chance for other countries C team players to play A team cricket against Pak as well. Everybody benefits.