“Pakistan’s Cricket World Cup Squad Faces Financial Struggles Amid Wealth Disparities”
The ongoing Cricket World Cup in India has brought to light a concerning issue within Pakistan’s cricket squad – the non-payment of players for the past five months. This situation highlights the significant wealth gap that exists among the leading nations in the cricketing world.
Below, we take a closer look at the financial disparities among cricket’s “haves” and “have nots.”
INDIA
India’s superstar batsman, Virat Kohli, stands atop the list of India’s highest-paid athletes, earning an impressive $33.9 million, primarily from lucrative brand endorsements, according to Sportico’s 2022 ranking. India’s booming economy, coupled with an ardent passion for cricket, has established the nation as the financial powerhouse of the global cricketing landscape. The Indian Premier League (IPL), a highly profitable Twenty20 league, offers cricketers unparalleled earnings, unimaginable to previous generations.
India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, also boasts a lucrative IPL contract and brand endorsements, with estimated earnings of $25.84 million.
ENGLAND
England employs a complex system of central contracts, allowing top all-format stars like Ben Stokes to earn between £800,000 to £900,000 ($977,000 to $1.09 million) annually. Test match fees typically amount to around £15,000 ($18,562), with £4,500 ($5,568) for one-day internationals. Franchise cricket, such as the IPL, provides an additional source of income, with players like Sam Curran securing multi-million-dollar deals.
England recently introduced multi-year contracts to retain leading players in international cricket amid the allure of franchise leagues.
AUSTRALIA
Australia’s Test and one-day captain, Pat Cummins, is set to become the country’s first A$3 million ($1.9 million) cricketer after a 7.5 percent increase in central contract earnings this year. Cummins currently receives A$2 million on retainer, which can reach A$3 million with match fees and bonuses for his captaincy.
The average retainer for centrally-contracted players in the 2023/24 season is A$951,000, in addition to match fees.
BANGLADESH/SRI LANKA
Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, with smaller economies, struggle to secure mega commercial deals akin to their Indian counterparts. Nevertheless, their top players participate in the IPL, with significant contracts. Sri Lankan leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga earned a $1.43 million contract with the Royal Challengers Bangalore last year. Bangladesh’s star player, Shakib Al Hasan, boasts an estimated net worth of $75 million, derived from T20 deals, national contracts, and endorsements.
PAKISTAN
Pakistan’s star players are excluded from the riches of the IPL due to political reasons. The nation’s economy, relative to cricket’s “Big Three” (India, England, and Australia), is reflected in central contracts, where elite Category A players receive a monthly payment of six million Pakistani Rupees ($21,552), amounting to an annual figure of $258,624. International regulars can supplement these earnings with match fees.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam, a leading all-format batsman globally, has an estimated net worth of $5 million.
South Africa’s top players earn basic annual contracts ranging from approximately R1.2 million ($65,000) to R3 million ($160,000). Match fees, bonuses, and commercial agreements can double these earnings. In terms of income, leading South African players often earn more from franchise cricket than representing their country.
NEW ZEALAND
Trent Boult is reportedly New Zealand’s highest-paid player, banking NZ$2.7 million ($1.6 million) from overseas deals, despite declining a national central contract in 2022. Kane Williamson, a world-class batsman, earns over NZ$1 million from his central contract, IPL contract, and endorsements.
The maximum salary for New Zealand’s top 20 players is NZ$523,396 ($313,880), along with match fees of up to NZ$10,250 ($6,146) for Test matches.
AFGHANISTAN
Details of central contracts in Afghanistan are not publicly disclosed, but media reports suggest Mohammad Nabi receives $8,400 per month, while star spinner Rashid Khan earns $4,800. Rashid’s substantial income is derived from his regular appearances in T20 franchise leagues, such as the IPL, where he earned $1.8 million last season.
NETHERLANDS
Skipper Scott Edwards reportedly receives a retainer of $100,000 for the non-Test playing nation, while highly-rated all-rounder Bas de Leede earns $45,000.
