Karachi: Cricket, which rules the hearts of countless fans around the world, presents a different picture in terms of the benefits received by players after retirement.
The examples of former Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi and former Indian player Vinod Kambli reflect the kind of benefits provided by different cricket boards for their retired players.
Former captain of the Pakistan cricket team and a big star of world cricket, Shahid Khan Afridi represented Pakistan in more than 500 matches and his cricket career includes numerous successes. Even after retiring from cricket, Shahid Afridi receives a decent pension from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
It should be noted that the PCB has divided its retired players into three different categories, on the basis of which the amount of their pension is decided.
Players who have played 10 or fewer Test matches receive a monthly pension of PKR 142,000 (approximately INR 43,000).
Players who have played 11 to 20 Test matches receive a monthly pension of PKR 148,000 (approximately INR 45,000).
Players who have played 21 or more Test matches receive a monthly pension of PKR 154,000 (approximately INR 47,000).
According to the formula set by the PCB for the pension of former players, Shahid Afridi represented Pakistan in 27 Test matches, as a result of which he receives a monthly pension of PKR 154,000 (approximately INR 47,000), which reflects his outstanding performance in cricket and successful career.
On the other hand, former Indian cricketer Vinod Kambli, who played a key role in Indian cricket in the 1990s, receives a monthly pension of only Rs 30,000 from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). This amount is much less than Shahid Afridi’s pension, which shows that the benefits for retired players in India are very low.
This clear difference highlights the attitude of both the cricket boards towards their retired players. The Pakistan Cricket Board has provided better facilities for its players after retirement, especially for players who have played cricket for a long time. On the other hand, the BCCI, the richest cricket board in world cricket, is not so generous in this regard.
Shahid Afridi’s high pension and Vinod Kambli’s low pension are evidence of how the decisions of cricket boards affect different players and how their post-retirement life goes. While Pakistan provides more benefits to its cricketers, retired players in India do not get much financial security.
According to the report, Vinod Kambli is currently in a very poor state and a few months ago, a video of him was seen staggering on a road drunk, after which social media users requested the Indian government and the cricket board for his financial help and treatment, but the Indian government and the BCCI did not listen.
Users also appealed to former player Sachin Tendulkar to come forward to help his long-time colleague.
This difference not only shows the policies of cricket boards but also highlights how players are treated in different countries.
