Mumbai: India’s arch-nemesis Pakistan did manage to bring back cricket after six long years to the country but at a huge cost. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) were so determined to get back the gentleman’s game to the country that they gave each player of the visiting team Zimbabwe a monetary guarantee of US $12,500, a report in ESPNCricinfo has revealed.
According to the report, PCB paid a whopping US $50,000 to Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) before the tour that was part of the individual payments made first. Each player was offered US $10,000 but Zimbabwean players felt it was too little so the PCB upped the amount to US $12,500 and the deal was sealed.
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The money was paid in two amounts, first on arrival and second at the conclusion of the series, which could explain why Zimbabwe stayed on tour despite a suicide attack during their second ODI.
Zimbabwean players opted for the huge amount as in the African country, players are paid a maximum monthly sum of US $6, 500. Reports say that they are yet to receive the fees for the recently concluded ICC Cricket World Cup 2015.
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With so much money at stake, Zimbabwean players did have a great time and Craig Ervine said he was happy with the ‘hospitality and security over this tour.’ Sikander Raza took to micro-blogging site Twitter to express his gratitude to the PCB.
Goodbye people of pakistan and thanks alot for the love,care and support that i received from all of you #ZIMBABWE pic.twitter.com/X2oLCTJxH0
— Sikandar Raza (@SRazaB24) June 3, 2015The entire series, barring the suicide bomb attack at the Gadaffi Stadium was well-planned with over 3.500 security officials deployed to look after the Zimbabwe team.
