Ramiz Raja announces increase in former players’ pensions by PKR 100,000

The Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Ramiz Raja has reminded us that the PCB has not forgotten the services of former Pakistani cricketers. Revealing a major update in PCB players’ Welfare policy, Raja has announced an increase in the pensions by PKR 100,000 of former cricketers.

According to the updated policy, 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 case of a player’s demise, the pension will be transferred to his spouse’s account. The PCB has especially taken the initiative for the wives, who have sacrificed for their husbands, letting them allot most of their time to playing higher-level cricket.

Previously, the legal heirs of the cricketer were only entitled to receive a one-time payment equivalent to 12 months’ benefit calculated according to the bracket under which the pension was being paid to the cricketer.

It must be noted that the updated policy will only benefit the cricketers aged 60 or above. Raja’s official statements are quoted below:

“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.

“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 in the pension policy will give a lot of peace and satisfaction to the cricketers as well as their families.

“The PCB is an institution that has a proud history of respecting and appreciating its cricketers. These amendments to the PCB Players’ Welfare Policy are a testament to our commitment and on behalf of this organisation, I once again assure all retired cricketers that we will continue to support them in any way we can, be it through the PCB Players’ Welfare Policy or the PCB Benevolent Fund, which exists to support and help cricketers facing financial challenges and hardships.”

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