PCB considers penalties for players after T20 World Cup exit

The Pakistan Cricket Board is considering financial penalties on players after their early exit from the T20 World Cup. Officials said reports of salary cuts were incorrect, but disciplinary action is under review following losses in the Super Eight stage

Karachi: Livid with the Pakistan team’s early elimination from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, the country’s cricket board is contemplating financial penalties on the players for their below-par show.

A reliable source said that while reports of the Pakistan Cricket Board deducting the remuneration of the players were incorrect, appropriate action is being considered in the wake of the team’s exit from the Super Eight stage of the event co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

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“No final decision has been taken on this as yet. But yes, it is under consideration to financially penalise the players,” he confirmed to PTI without revealing the details.

He said it is being debated whether it would be the right step to penalise the players financially.

Pakistan failed to qualify for the semifinals and lost to big teams like arch-rivals India and England, while their Super Eight game against New Zealand was washed out.

They beat Sri Lanka in their final Super Eight game but could not qualify for the semifinals.

The performance of the players, according to the source, has not only upset the PCB but also influential figures in the government.

“The feeling is that enough is enough, and these players, despite so much backing, let down the nation in big events,” the source added.

The Pakistan players also returned home quietly in small groups from Sri Lanka, with captain Salman Ali Agha and star batter Babar Azam, along with some other players, landing in Lahore last night.

Players who have central contracts get monthly retainers, plus match fees, win bonuses and shares in the Board’s team sponsorship deals.