LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) governing body has approved an Rs15 billion annual budget for the fiscal year 2022-23, with an enhanced central contract, the creation of ‘Pakistan Cricket Foundation’, and the allocation of funds for stadium upgrades.

Speaking at a scheduled press conference a day after its 69th Board of Governors(BoG) meeting, PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja announced that the Board had approved an operational activity-based annual budget of Rs15 billion for 2022-23.

According to the details released by PCB, approximately 78 percent of the budget will be allocated for cricket-related activities which include enhanced central contracts for men’s and women’s cricket players, domestic and international cricket competitions in the cricket season of 2022–2023 with more local tournaments and matches, the HBL Pakistan Super League 8, and the inaugural season of Pakistan Junior League.

Looking ahead to the Asia Cup 2023 and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the mega-events scheduled to be held in Pakistan, the BoG has approved an allocation of funds in addition to the operational budget for the up-gradation of stadiums which includes floodlights, replay screens, player dressing rooms, and new spectator chairs.

“We will build 70 rooms in Karachi and 30 rooms in the National High Performace Centre, besides 70 rooms in Multan as well”, claimed Ramiz.

The BoG also approved the establishment of the Pakistan Cricket Foundation for the welfare and well-being of retired cricketers, ground staff, and scorers. The PCB has initially allocated Rs100 million to the foundation while aiming to usher in more donors.

“Currently 243 cricketers are on PCB’s payroll. We are trying to give them respectable earning,” said the PCB chairman.

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