Peshawar National T20 Cup: Crores Spent, Players Receive Only Lakhs

 

Musarrat Ullah Jan , KikxNow , Digital Creator

In Pakistan cricket, it is often claimed that domestic cricket is being strengthened and young players are being given opportunities. However, when we take a closer look at the financial side of a tournament, a very different picture emerges. Similar questions are now being raised about the National T20 Cup held in Peshawar.

On the surface, it appears to be a major cricketing event. Teams from different regions of Pakistan participate, matches are held, stadiums are activated, and the Cricket Board touts it as an important step for the promotion of domestic cricket. But when the expenses of the tournament are compared with the money that players actually receive, a clear discrepancy becomes evident.

Starting with prize money, the total pool for the entire tournament is about PKR 8.5 million. Of this, the winning team receives roughly PKR 5 million, while the runner-up gets about PKR 2.5 million. The remaining money is distributed among individual awards such as Best Batsman, Best Bowler, and Player of the Tournament.

On paper, these amounts may seem reasonable, but relative to the scale of the tournament, they are modest. Administrative and operational costs for the event far exceed the prize money.

Organizing a domestic T20 tournament involves stadium preparation, security, floodlights, ground staff, umpires, match referees, broadcast crews, and other administrative expenses. In addition, team accommodation, meals, and transportation are also covered by the Cricket Board.

A conservative estimate suggests that the total expenditure for this tournament in Peshawar could range between PKR 100 million and 160 million (10–16 crore). This is an approximation, as the Pakistan Cricket Board generally does not release a full financial breakdown of such events to the public.

This raises an important question: if crores are being spent on a domestic tournament, why do the players receive such a small portion?

Domestic players also receive match fees, but these are modest. In the past, these fees were even reduced, which sparked significant backlash from players. Eventually, the Cricket Board had to reverse the decision, highlighting that financial issues for domestic cricketers remain unresolved.

It is a harsh reality that many domestic cricketers in Pakistan face financial uncertainty. They work hard all year, play matches, travel, yet their income is often insufficient to rely solely on cricket for livelihood.

Meanwhile, administrative expenses, salaries, and perks for high-ranking officials appear comparatively higher. This is why cricket analysts frequently question whether domestic cricket is truly being prioritized as claimed.

Hosting the National T20 Cup in Peshawar is certainly a positive step, giving local fans the opportunity to watch high-level cricket. Matches being held at standard grounds like the Imran Khan Cricket Stadium is welcome. However, transparency throughout the process is equally crucial.

 

If the Cricket Board genuinely wants to strengthen domestic cricket, it needs to publicly disclose tournament finances. The public should know how much is being spent on an event and where the major portion of funds is going.

Moreover, improving the financial situation of domestic players deserves serious attention. These are the players who may become part of the national team in the future. If players at the grassroots continue to face uncertainty, how can a strong cricketing structure be built?

This Peshawar tournament again raises questions about the use of resources in domestic cricket in Pakistan. Is the bulk of the investment really going toward players and development, or is most of it consumed by administrative costs?

This issue extends beyond just the Peshawar tournament—it concerns the entire domestic cricket system. If Pakistan wants a strong national cricket team in the future, its domestic structure must be transparent, fair, and efficient.

After all, the foundation of a national team is always domestic cricket. If the foundation is weak, the structure above cannot remain strong for long.

 

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