Ramiz Raja, the former Pakistan captain and ex-chairman of the PCB, has strongly criticized the reported plans to demote Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan from their Category A central contracts following Pakistan’s early exit from the T20 World Cup 2024.
Raja emphasized that such actions, including altering players’ salaries as a punitive measure, are not conducive to improving team standards or performance.
In his remarks on local TV, Raja described the potential demotion as a “knee-jerk reaction,” suggesting that financial incentives or penalties do not inherently raise the level of play among cricketers.
He argued against the idea that reducing or withholding salaries could motivate players positively, asserting instead that such measures could potentially drive players away from the sport altogether.
Raja underscored the importance of fair compensation for cricketers, recognizing the brevity of their careers and the significance of the PCB’s role in supporting them.
He emphasized that Pakistan’s cricket board should focus on constructive strategies to foster player development and team improvement rather than resorting to financial penalties.
Overall, Raja’s stance reflects a belief that penalizing players financially for underperformance is not only ineffective but also detrimental to team morale and the long-term interests of Pakistani cricket.
