LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday announced to increase in the pensions of the former cricketers by 100,000 PKR under the PCB Players’ Welfare Policy.
According to the details, the PCB has opted to raise the pensions of the former cricketers across all the three categories by 100,000 PKR.
Following this, the cricketers who have played in 10 or fewer Tests will now receive a monthly pension of PKR142,000, players who have played between 11 and 20 Tests will receive PKR148,000 and players who have featured in 21 or more Tests will receive PKR154,000.
In a major amendment to the policy, the PCB also declared that in the tragic case of a Test cricketer’s death, the pension will be handed to the widow. Previously, the cricketer’s legal heirs were only entitled to a one-time payment equal to 12 months’ benefit, calculated according to the bracket in which the cricketer’s pension was paid.
The Chairman of PCB, Ramiz Raja, shared his excitement about this initiative and claimed ensured security for a cricketer’s widow while also delighted to have fulfilled one of his commitments.
“It gives me immense pleasure and happiness to announce the increase in pension amounts and other amendments to the PCB Players’ Welfare Policy. With a former cricketer at the helm of Pakistan cricket affairs, the expectation was that I will always protect and look after the interests and welfare of all present and past cricketers. I am delighted that I have been able to fulfil another of my commitments and have amended the policy in such a way that there will now be an annual increase in the pension amounts,” he said.
“While improving the pension amounts, we have also ensured security for a cricketer’s widow. As a former cricketer, I know and understand the sacrifices of the families, particularly the spouses that allow cricketers to fulfil their ambitions and dreams of representing their country at the highest level. I am confident this incremental increase of the pension policy will give a lot of peace and satisfaction to the cricketers as well as their families,” he concluded.
It is worth noting here that the latest changes to the PCB Players’ Welfare Policy will come into effect from 1 July 2022 and cricketers who have reached the age of 60 and above, will be able to benefit.
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