New Delhi: In a controversial move, the Pakistan Cricket Board has decided to stop daily allowances for women cricketers attending national training camps. Pakistanis were quick to point out that the men’s team has faced no interruption in their benefits despite recent dismal performances.
This decision affects the current camp in Multan, which began on 1 September, ahead of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024.
The Pakistan Cricket Board’s new policy states that if players are provided with accommodation and three meals a day, additional daily allowances are not necessary. At previous camps, they were not provided with three meals and thus were getting an allowance, according to ESPNcricinfo. This time, three meals were provided in lieu of the allowance.
This change is a particular point of contention for those advocating for gender equality in sports. Critics argue that while the PCB is willing to invest heavily in infrastructure and high-profile events, it appears to undervalue the contributions and needs of female cricketers.
This sentiment was echoed by a former player who suggested that the decision might create discontent and undermine the growth of women’s cricket in Pakistan.
One X user called it “appalling” and asked why PCB is “spilling money on Champions Cup (unneeded, unnecessary, weird, gross)” and not paying women players the bare minimum.
Another user said: “We have upgraded stadiums and money for ceremonies but the national women team will get only meals and no fees?”
Another user called the change simple economics. “Boys bring the money so it should be spent on them. Women’s cricket is just for optics to appease the ongoing gender equality regime. No one is watching women’s cricket so there is no incentive to invest money in it,” he said.
The women’s team is set to face South Africa today in Multan in the first match of a three-match T20I series. They will also start getting allowances once the series begins.
Also read: Pakistan’s historic loss to Bangladesh has shaken the nation. They also want a revolution
Disparity and disappointment
The three-meal policy technically applies to both the men’s and women’s teams, but it is seldom enforced for the men, ESPNcricinfo reported.
Recent camps for the men’s squad, such as the one preceding their Test series against Bangladesh, included daily allowances in addition to accommodation and meals. However, not all meals were provided free of charge; the allowances were intended to compensate for this.
The rationale behind the change in the allowance structure for the women’s team remains unclear. It has come at a critical time, with the women’s team set to compete in the Women’s T20 World Cup in the UAE next month.
The Pakistan women’s cricket team is ranked 10th in ICC Women’s Rankings with 2072 points and a rating of 65.
In July this year, PCB increased salaries for centrally-contracted women cricketers and also approved around 240 per cent increase in the budget for women cricket. However, this shift has disappointed many of the women players, who said that being away from home for a camp deserves more than just basic provisions like food and lodging.
Adding to the discontent is the PCB’s substantial expenditure on other projects. The board is investing heavily in stadium renovations, including significant upgrades to the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore and the National Stadium in Karachi, in preparation for hosting the Champions Trophy in 2025.
The financial outlay for domestic competitions and mentor salaries further underscores the disparity. The Champions One-Day Cup, for example, has seen a tenfold increase in prize money from last year, and mentors for the tournament are being paid substantial salaries.
This move also comes on the heels of Saleema Imtiaz making history as the first Pakistani woman appointed to the ICC’s International Panel of Development Umpires.
(Edited by Theres Sudeep)