Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is staring at a financial setback as four mentors, appointed for the now-cancelled Champions Cup, are refusing to step down—potentially costing the board Rs20 million in compensation.
High-profile hires backfire after tournament cancellation
In August last year, the PCB launched a mentorship initiative for the Champions Cup, onboarding former cricketers Misbah-ul-Haq, Saqlain Mushtaq, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shoaib Malik, and Waqar Younis. Each was reportedly offered a Rs5 million monthly salary—a figure that drew significant attention across the cricketing world.
But after disappointing outcomes, the Champions Cup was scrapped in favor of a return to the traditional Pentangular Cup. With the tournament cancelled, the mentor positions were deemed obsolete. While Shoaib Malik resigned voluntarily, the remaining four have not.
Mentors hold firm over contractual severance
According to Cricket Pakistan, the mentors may be awaiting official termination to activate a contract clause entitling them to four months of severance pay. This would mean a collective payout of Rs20 million—an expense the PCB had hoped to avoid.
The board initially attempted a soft exit strategy, hinting at the end of their roles through informal channels. However, with no resignations forthcoming, the PCB is now considering formal dismissal or negotiation.
‘National service’ pitch under scrutiny
During recruitment, the mentors claimed to be turning down lucrative coaching and media gigs to support domestic cricket, a sentiment that helped justify their high salaries. Ironically, several still pursued outside work—such as league appearances and commentary stints—even while officially under contract with PCB.
This contradiction, combined with the underwhelming performance of the Champions Cup, triggered internal reviews and questions around the legitimacy and effectiveness of the mentorship model.
PCB weighs alternative roles to defuse tension
With the risk of negative media coverage looming, PCB is exploring potential compromise roles for the mentors—possibly at reduced salaries. This move would allow the board to save face and avoid prolonged disputes, though no formal offers have been extended yet.
What began as a visionary plan to inject veteran insight into the domestic circuit has turned into a test case for contractual management and fiscal responsibility. The resolution of this standoff could set a precedent for how PCB structures future domestic appointments.
