03-31-2009, 08:09 AM
Karachi: After New Zealand's Craig McMillan, it is the turn of Pakistan cricketers to allege non-payment of dues by the rebel Indian Cricket League which has reportedly been hit hard by the economic meltdown and is planning to release players off their contracts.
Pakistan cricketers under ICL's payroll were supposed to get their money in quarterly installments after every three months.
"That has not happened since November last year. No payment has been made for the last few months and indications are that ICL organisers are thinking of winding up their league at least for now," one ICL-contracted player said.
"From what we have heard the ICL owes all overseas players fees in the range of 200 million rupees," he said.
A newspaper report in New Zealand said McMillan had also alleged non-payment of dues since December.
Pakistan all-rounder Abdul Razzaq confirmed they had been told by the ICL that they had been released from their contracts and would be getting their dues and no-objection certificates within the next few days.
"That is what I have been told. That is why I am looking forward to getting a chance to play for Pakistan again," he said.
Sources said a meeting was held recently between representatives of players and ICL officials in Dubai to sort out the payment-related issue.
Pakistan players were paid in the range of USD 75,000 to USD 2,50,000 per year by the ICL which had already been forced to shelve its March-April event this year due to recession.
Pakistan cricketers under ICL's payroll were supposed to get their money in quarterly installments after every three months.
"That has not happened since November last year. No payment has been made for the last few months and indications are that ICL organisers are thinking of winding up their league at least for now," one ICL-contracted player said.
"From what we have heard the ICL owes all overseas players fees in the range of 200 million rupees," he said.
A newspaper report in New Zealand said McMillan had also alleged non-payment of dues since December.
Pakistan all-rounder Abdul Razzaq confirmed they had been told by the ICL that they had been released from their contracts and would be getting their dues and no-objection certificates within the next few days.
"That is what I have been told. That is why I am looking forward to getting a chance to play for Pakistan again," he said.
Sources said a meeting was held recently between representatives of players and ICL officials in Dubai to sort out the payment-related issue.
Pakistan players were paid in the range of USD 75,000 to USD 2,50,000 per year by the ICL which had already been forced to shelve its March-April event this year due to recession.
