Zimbabwe cricketers threaten to boycott series against Pakistan
Zimbabwe players have formed a union and have placed their demands in a letter to the managing director of the country's cricket board.
- Wisden India Staff
- Updated: August 16, 2013 07:00 PM IST
Zimbabwe's preparations for Pakistan's multi-format tour slipped into uncertainty after the players demanded that their outstanding salaries be paid in full, and also asked for a new fee-per-match scheme.
According to Zimbabwe Independent, each player demanded USD 5000 for every Test, USD 3000 for every One-Day International and USD 1500 for every Twenty20 International. If Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) agrees to the demands, each player will earn approximately USD 22,000 during the tour.
The players, who have formed a union, placed their demands in a letter to Wilfred Mukondiwa, the managing director of ZC. "We would like to advise that the Zimbabwe cricket players have formed a union to represent their interests. The formation of the union is in line with the provisions of the new constitution of the Republic of Zimbabwe, particularly Section 65 (1)", said the letter.
The governing body had offered a month's contract extension to the players, which was supposed to expire at the end of July, but the players said they would accept it only on certain conditions: "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) USD 3000 for One-Day Internationals, (ii) USD 5000 for Test matches, (iii) USD 1500 for T-20 matches."
The report said that players currently get an average salary of USD 2000 a month for seven months every year, with the earnings different for each player, the captain getting the highest. However, the salaries have been delayed by a month now, and the players are especially upset because the salaries haven't come despite the tour by India, considered a profitable one.
The report also quoted players as saying they would not participate in the upcoming matches against Pakistan until the outstanding salaries, for the month of July, are paid.
Zimbabwe are scheduled to play Two Tests, three ODIs and two T20Is against Pakistan as part of the tour.