PCB denies FICA's claim of delayed PSL payments

The Federation of International Cricketers' Associations (FICA) has raised concerns in the global T20 leagues, citing reports of late or non-payments to players across several major franchises. The reports also include the Pakistan Super League (PSL). However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has denied any delays in player payments for its flagship T20 tournament.

FICA launched a new leagues hub this week, designed to help players navigate the complex world of franchise cricket. According to the players' union, one in four cricketers has experienced payment issues in sanctioned leagues over the past 24 months, with reports of problems in tournaments like the IPL, WPL, BPL, LPL, and PSL.

"The growth of domestic leagues around the world has been a great thing for cricket and has provided several new opportunities for players. However, inconsistencies with the treatment of players have led to the landscape being considered by many as the Wild West," FICA CEO TomMoffat said in a press release.

"FICA continues to advocate for fit-for-purpose global regulation and increased accountability in the domestic leagues landscape to protect all stakeholders, including players. This should include contract minimum standards and effective pay enforcement mechanisms," he further added.

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Never has been any delay in player payments: Usman Wahla

However, the PCB firmly denied FICA's claims regarding the PSL. Usman Wahla, the PCB's director of international cricket operations, stated, "There is no and never has been any delay in player payments in any of our nine [PSL] seasons we have written to FICA to rectify this in their document."

The PCB pointed to the PSL's contract terms, which stipulate that players should receive 70% of their fee within seven days of arriving in Pakistan and the remaining 30% within 40 days of their final league match.

"In the seven years of the HBL Pakistan Super League, no player has ever complained about the nonfulfillment of the PCB's contractual obligations," the PCB said at the time.

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This is not the first time the PCB has faced allegations of late payments. In 2022, former Australian all-rounder James Faulkner pulled out of the PSL, alleging that the board had failed to honor his contract, though the PCB denied any issues at the time.