Published: Aug 16, 2013, 05:58 PM (IST)
Edited: Aug 16, 2013, 05:58 PM (IST)
Zimbabwe players have complained that they have not been paid their wages on time © AFP
Aug 16, 2013
Zimbabwe players have refused to practice and have downed tools before the home series against Pakistan citing outstanding wages that are still to be paid to them. They are also demanding an increase in their salaries.
The players’ union, which was recently formed, wrote a letter on Thursday to Zimbabwe Cricket director Wilfred Mukondiwa stating their demands. This also included for them to be paid ahead of time for the Test series against Pakistan, which is scheduled to start on September 3, reports Cricket365.
Mukondiwa had confirmed to Cricinfo that had been received. In the letter it was revealed that the players had agreed to a one month contract extension, which 10 centrally signed players had got in July, but with added conditions.
“We are agreeable to the said extension on the following conditions; (1) That match fees be paid to the players who are going to take part in the upcoming Pakistan and any other future tours as follows, (i) US$3,000 for One-Day Internationals, (ii) US$ 5,000 for Test matches, (iii) US$1,500 for T20 matches,” the letter read.
A Zimbabwean player, on conditions of anonymity, was reported in newspaper The Independent as saying, “What we have asked for is the minimum if you compare with other Test playing nations.
“This kind of arrangement will benefit the younger players who do not have central contracts but may be called up into the national team. For the avoidance of doubt, our membership will not participate in any form of training until the outstanding salaries are paid.
“There will furthermore be no participation from our members in the upcoming Pakistan tour and the subsequent tours until Zimbabwe Cricket acknowledges and accedes to our request on match fees.”
Pakistan’s tour of Zimbabwe is scheduled to begin with a Twenty20 match on August 23 in Harare. The itinerary includes a total of two T20 matches, three ODIs and two Test matches.
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