Unless there are other sources of good income for older players, they will stick to their positions as leach. Would you leave a well-paying job for a younger person. Most people wonÂ’t.
England/Australia ex/old players have multiple income sources, as coaches even at their school level get paid well and there are commentaries and coaching assignment in other countries like Pakistan, India, Bangla, Zimbabwe etc.
India also has built multiple income streams for retired players, incl a very good BCCI pension that other countries can only dream about, highly paid coaching/media assignment, state/national awards that have lifetime monthly income and occasionally even movies made on them. They can also keep playing in lucrative IPL for 3-5 years after retirement. So a Ganguli or Gambhir donÂ’t have to be leach for the position in national team.
If Malik retires today, he has to probably live on his Indian wifeÂ’s income, who too have retired but can still earn enough through coaching/media assignments to
Live comfortably. Hafeez probably does not have even this option.
This “income statement” is the weakest reason of all, at least for top 30-35 players. No point giving examples from different markets/countries because the context is different- MJ still earns over $50mn/year from his endorsements after retiring almost 2 decades back, and a fade-away Tiger Woods earned over $35mn without hitting a single shot, that too after massive slash down of his endorsement value for scandals - that’s USA, you have to think in PAK context.
I had given this maths few times in past - once more, take Malik. At 38, he has been PAK regular for almost 20 years and has played over 400 games for PAK - at an minimum average of $2,000/game thatÂ’s close to $1 million or PKR 14 crore just in match fees. Add central contract, prize money, endorsement shares, tour fees ...., you can easily double that money at least - thatÂ’s over 30 crore just from PCB. He is playing non stop club cricket, earning from endorsements and other media sources which should be more than his PCB earnings. I take a rough estimation of 60-65 crore PKR - excluding tax, still it should be over 35 crore by the age of 38. And remember, these players are under highest benefit packages- absolute highest quality medical, travelling, accommodation; probably that covers family members as well. Then, they are insured under corporate package and they donÂ’t pay anything for their kits, trainings, most cases diets.
Next thing is, these players are earning at their early age - most cases in South Asia, a top doctor or engineer or lawyer... often doesnÂ’t even earn enough to run own family in luxury by the age of 35, unless he owns inherited properties. Unless these players blow their fortune for drugs, casinos & other cheap entertainments, by the age of 38, each one should have enough money to invest through secured portfolios for a luxurious retirement life at 40. I am sure Malik from his own income owns several apartments in Karachi, Lahore & Islamabad, from which income from rent should be enough not to depend on wife.
Cricketers from BD doesnÂ’t earn much more than PAK, and I know one U25 player from his last 7 years income owns 4 apartments, from which he earns over $3.5K/month as rent and the sale value of these apartments are increasing every year. This guy is cool headed coming from a very humble background, so instead of BMWs, he has spent his fortune in real estate. Taskin had just 3 years of glory - he owns a resultant in heart of Dhaka, which should earn him more than the salary of a bank EVP by now. Mo Rafique is absolute illiterate, one of 8 kids of a mother whose husband left her on street with 8 kids ... and Rafique didnÂ’t play in T20 era, earned minuscule from BCB compared to current bunch; and guy started FC career with borrowed kits - now he is financially secured with multiple flats, cars and being involved in a coaching career.... starting from streets, ended in Banani.
My point is not to boast about BD cricketers, rather to say that this financial security is absolutely rubbish excuse for Misbah to carry still now. May not be at Malik’s level, but even Anwar Ali has earned enough through his cricket career for a secured future. Obviously every man has to develop himself, learn new skills, work hard for his bread & butter. “Rajar bhandar” will be empty if you keep spending lavishly without filling the pocket - there are examples of several NBA, NFL stars going bankrupt within few few years of retirement, while Hakim Olajuwon’s net worth is now over half a billion, because guy didn’t waste money & after retirement spent 2 years for a diploma on real estate management- now he owns the largest Islamic real estate company in USA.
Average age of PAK team is officially 3-5 years older, only because of lack of vision by PCB and nepotism in selection - PCT shouldnÂ’t be a charity to ensure few selected bunch can change their car model, designer suits, Hermes belt, Gucci shoes, ray ban sheds ... every year. Same goes for domestic cricket at lower luxury scale....
