Mentors refuse to quit after tournament axed, forcing PCB Into 20 million standoff

In the wake of Champions Cup’s scrapping, PCB will have to pay out Rs 20 million in compensation to four mentors

A group of mentors appointed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for last year’s Champions Cup are refusing to step down, despite their roles being declared redundant. Shoaib Malik has resigned voluntarily, but the remaining four — Misbah-ul-Haq, Saqlain Mushtaq, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and Waqar Younis — are holding out, potentially forcing the PCB to pay Rs 20 million.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) appointed five mentors for the Champions Cup in August last year. Among these players were Misbah-ul-Haq, Saqlain Mushtaq, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shoaib Malik, and Waqar Younis. There had been controversy over their hefty salaries of Rs 5 million each from the beginning.

As a result of unsatisfactory results, the PCB has decided to scrap the Champions Cup and replace it with the Pentangular Cup. This also meant that mentors were no longer needed. Despite Shoaib Malik’s voluntary resignation, the remaining four have remained silent.

As per their contracts, some of them are deliberately waiting to be officially dismissed so they can claim compensation — four months’ salary worth Rs 20 million. Several days ago, the PCB unofficially informed them they were no longer needed, anticipating they would resign on their own. It may be necessary for the board to consider alternative options since that hasn’t happened.

In addition, sources revealed that during their job interviews, these mentors claimed that they would forego lucrative opportunities such as coaching gigs, TV shows, commentary, and league contracts to serve the nation. Their emotional pitch helped them secure record-breaking salaries. Although they were appointed by the board, many continued to be engaged in other engagements.

Within a few months of paying hefty salaries, authorities realized the initiative wasn’t working. It has been reported that some mentors have even warned the PCB that they will launch criticism campaigns in the media if they are removed. Former stars may now be assigned alternative roles at half their salaries. A formal offer has not yet been made, but discussions are in progress.