The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has categorically denied reports suggesting cricketers part of the Pakistan cricket team in the T20 World Cup 2026 were fined for underwhelming performances.
PCB refutes ‘fine’ claim
After Pakistan failed to qualify for the semifinal, it was rumoured that the PCB fined each member of the squad a whopping PKR 50 lakh (approximately INR 16.20 lakh). The Men in Green hadn’t reached the knockout stages of any ICC event since 2022, and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi found the treatment apt.
Amir Mir, the PCB spokesperson, has refuted such claims. However, he added that the PCB is trying to concoct a new performance policy. “No player has been fined, but yes, the board is thinking about working out a formula for players because they get a lot of incentives when they perform well,” Mir told reporters.
New performance policy
For the unversed, Pakistan’s centrally contracted cricketers earned about PKR 6 to 7 crore annually (approximately INR 1.99 to 2.32 crore). This includes monthly retainers, match & tour fees, and bonuses for winning matches in different categories. They also get a cut of the logo sponsorship deal and 3% of the revenue the ICC grants to the PCB annually, which is $34 million (approximately INR 314 crore).
But the PCB doesn’t believe the performance has been justifiable in recent times. After failing to qualify for the 2023 ODI World Cup semifinal by a 2-point margin, Pakistan was knocked out of the group stage in the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy at home. This has been followed by a loss in the 2025 Asia Cup final and Super 8 exit in the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Therefore, PCB wants to change things up. Whether that means future fines, reduction of salary, or no bonuses? We don’t know yet. The PCB didn’t make it clear either. But it doesn’t look good for Pakistan’s centrally contracted cricketers at the moment. “But nothing is final, and no player has been fined,” Mir added.
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