Karachi – A major controversy has once again gripped the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), raising serious questions about its management strategy, financial discipline, and decision-making process. Despite the official termination of the mentors’ posts, four former cricketers are still being paid hefty monthly salaries.
According to sources, Saqlain Mushtaq and Waqar Younis have already received termination letters and are currently serving their notice period, while Sarfaraz Ahmed and Misbah-ul-Haq are yet to be assigned new roles within the board despite being retained permanently.
The situation has sparked widespread criticism from cricket fans, analysts, and even former players, with many questioning whether the PCB is mismanaging funds in an already challenging financial climate.
The Champions Cup Project and Appointment of Mentors
Last year, in a bid to revive cricketing standards and strengthen the grooming of young players, the PCB launched a new initiative called the Champions Cup Project.
As part of this project, five former national team players were appointed as mentors to provide guidance, share their experience, and help nurture upcoming talent. These mentors included:
- Shoaib Malik – Veteran all-rounder with global franchise cricket experience.
- Sarfaraz Ahmed – Former captain who led Pakistan to victory in the 2017 Champions Trophy.
- Misbah-ul-Haq – Former Test captain and ex-head coach of Pakistan.
- Waqar Younis – Legendary fast bowler and former head coach.
- Saqlain Mushtaq – Renowned spin coach and former head coach of Pakistan.
Each of them was offered a monthly salary of Rs 5 million, making the scheme one of the costliest initiatives in recent PCB history.
Abrupt End of the Champions Cup
However, the project failed to take off as expected. Sources suggest that the Champions Cup faced multiple hurdles:
- Lack of clear structure and objectives.
- Overlapping responsibilities with existing domestic cricket programs.
- Questions about the sustainability of paying such high salaries.
- Poor communication between the PCB administration and the appointed mentors.
As criticism mounted, the PCB quietly decided to scrap the Champions Cup altogether. With the end of the project, the need for full-time mentors also vanished.
Shoaib Malik’s Exit vs. Others Staying
Among the five appointed mentors, Shoaib Malik was the only one to voluntarily resign, reportedly to focus on his franchise commitments in leagues around the world.
The remaining four – Saqlain, Waqar, Sarfaraz, and Misbah – stayed on, continuing to draw their salaries despite having no active roles.
This has become a public relations nightmare for the PCB, as fans and critics alike see it as financial wastage.
Termination of Saqlain Mushtaq and Waqar Younis
The PCB has now issued termination letters to Saqlain Mushtaq and Waqar Younis, ending their contracts. However, as per the terms of their agreements, both are entitled to receive four months of salary as compensation, which amounts to Rs 20 million each.
During this notice period, the PCB has the option to utilize their services in some capacity, but no concrete assignments have been announced so far.
The Case of Sarfaraz Ahmed and Misbah-ul-Haq
Unlike Saqlain and Waqar, the PCB has decided to retain the services of Sarfaraz Ahmed and Misbah-ul-Haq on a permanent basis.
- Sarfaraz Ahmed: The former captain is still an active player and a senior figure in domestic cricket. His mentorship could benefit younger players, especially wicketkeepers. However, no official responsibilities have been communicated to him yet.
- Misbah-ul-Haq: As one of the most respected captains in Pakistan’s Test history, Misbah is seen as an asset for long-term player development. But again, despite being retained, no defined role or project has been assigned to him.
According to reports, the PCB is also considering a reduction in their monthly salaries, a move that has been verbally conveyed to both.
Why the Delay in Assigning Responsibilities?
The biggest question being asked is why the PCB has not yet clarified roles for Sarfaraz and Misbah. Analysts suggest several reasons:
- Administrative Uncertainty – Frequent changes in PCB leadership have slowed decision-making.
- Undefined Objectives – Lack of a clear roadmap for player development programs.
- Budget Concerns – With the board under pressure to cut costs, decisions about salaries and responsibilities are being delayed.
- Internal Politics – Different factions within the board may have differing opinions on how best to use the experience of former players.
Criticism Over High Salaries
When the mentors were first appointed, the Rs 5 million monthly salary drew sharp criticism from media, fans, and former officials.
To put it into perspective:
- Rs 5 million monthly equals Rs 60 million annually per mentor.
- With five mentors, the total financial burden on the PCB exceeded Rs 300 million per year.
Critics argued that the money could have been better spent on grassroots cricket development, domestic players’ welfare, or infrastructure improvement.
The criticism has only intensified now that some mentors are being paid without any active role.
PCB’s Strategy: Waiting for Resignations
Initially, the PCB reportedly hoped that the mentors would resign voluntarily, thereby saving the board from paying heavy termination compensations.
However, none of the four opted to leave on their own, knowing that contractual obligations guaranteed them four months’ salary even in the case of early termination.
This left the PCB with no option but to issue termination letters to Saqlain and Waqar while retaining Sarfaraz and Misbah to justify ongoing payments.
A Pattern of Mismanagement?
This is not the first time the PCB has faced criticism for poor planning and financial mismanagement. Over the years, the board has been accused of:
- Hiring and firing coaches frequently, leading to wasted financial resources.
- Launching projects without long-term vision, only to shut them down prematurely.
- Paying heavy compensations to terminated staff members and foreign coaches.
- Failing to create a stable system of player development despite massive spending.
The Champions Cup mentors’ saga is seen by many as another example of ad-hoc decision-making.
Impact on Pakistan Cricket
The controversy could have several impacts on Pakistan cricket:
- Player Morale: Current players may feel uncertain about the value of mentorship when projects are shut down without explanation.
- Public Trust: Fans may lose further trust in the PCB’s ability to manage resources responsibly.
- International Image: Such stories can damage Pakistan cricket’s reputation globally, especially when compared with better-organized boards like the BCCI or Cricket Australia.
What Lies Ahead for PCB?
Moving forward, the PCB faces tough choices:
- Defining Clear Roles – If Sarfaraz Ahmed and Misbah-ul-Haq are to be retained, the board must assign them proper responsibilities.
- Salary Restructuring – With mounting financial pressures, salaries need to be rationalized to reflect realistic contributions.
- Strategic Planning – The board must avoid launching expensive projects without a sustainable roadmap.
- Transparency – Public disclosure of expenditures and contractual terms may help rebuild trust.
Fans’ Reaction and Media Pressure
Unsurprisingly, the story has gained significant traction on social media platforms. Fans have expressed disappointment, with many questioning:
- Why is the PCB paying millions in salaries to idle mentors?
- Why were the contracts structured in a way that heavily favors former cricketers, leaving the board with little flexibility?
- Why did the Champions Cup fail so quickly despite significant investment?
The Pakistani media has also been relentless in questioning the PCB’s lack of foresight, urging greater accountability in handling cricketing funds.
Conclusion – A Case Study in Poor Strategy
The end of the Champions Cup project and the continued salaries of former mentors has once again highlighted the strategic flaws within the PCB’s administration.
While the board may argue that contractual obligations tie its hands, critics believe the entire situation could have been avoided with better planning, clarity, and financial prudence.
As the PCB prepares for upcoming international challenges, including the Asia Cup and ICC events, it must ensure that such episodes do not distract from the primary goal – strengthening Pakistan cricket on and off the field.
For now, the saga of mentors without mentorship stands as yet another reminder of the urgent need for reform and accountability within Pakistan cricket’s governing body.
