Inzamam confirms demand for pay rise

Inzamam-ul-Haq, Pakistan's captain, has confirmed that his cricketers will ask the Pakistan Cricket Board for a pay raise in their central contracts as well as performance-related incentives for next year's World Cup.

"We are going to ask the PCB to increase our salaries in the contracts, as we feel this is due to us," Inzamam told Reuters. "We will also discuss the possibility of having incentives for doing well in the World Cup."

Pakistan players are currently given monthly retainers in their central contracts as well as match appearance fees and the players also want the match fees system to be reviewed according to Inzamam.

Inzamam said the players felt an annual increase was natural, but that their demands would be acceptable to everyone. Inzamam also said the players were looking for incentives for the 2007 World Cup, "although we know that if we perform up to the mark in Pakistan the rewards would flow in from every quarter."

Inzamam's remarks are the first public statement by any Pakistan player about the issue, which was first reported two days ago. Players had revealed their demand to PTI then, although the PCB reiterated that nothing would be done about it until the current contracts expire in June. Abbas Zaidi, PCB director, told Cricinfo then that no official request had been received from the players and that situation remains unchanged. When Inzamam will approach the PCB is not clear though, as there is no official players' association in the country, he is likely to do so directly himself.

The PCB has issued 20 central contracts in three different categories, with the highest level giving a monthly retainer of Rs 200,000 ($3,330), followed by Rs 125,000 and Rs 75,000. Pakistan players are paid considerably less than their counterparts from India, England, Australia and South Africa and the Board only introduced the central contracts system in December 2004. Additionally, potential earnings from endorsements and sponsorships are not as high as it is in other countries.

In June, Mohammad Asif, who has taken 24 wickets in his last three Tests, and batsman Faisal Iqbal are widely expected to be rewarded with central contracts for recent performances.