PCB restores Sarfraz Nawaz's pension stopped since 2017
Cricket
The head of the Management Committee, Zaka Ashraf, met Nawaz
LAHORE (Web Desk) – The Pakistan Cricket Board restored the ex gratia payments of former fast bowler Sarfraz Nawaz.
The head of the Management Committee, Zaka Ashraf, met Nawaz on Monday to resolve the outstanding matters over his unpaid ex gratia payments since January 2017.
In a statement issued by the PCB, the meeting held at the National Cricket Academy where former captains Misbah-ul-Haq and Mohammad Hafeez were also present. The committee head handed over a cheque to settle the payments under the Players’ Welfare Policy and assured Nawaz of unconditional support.
The ex gratia payments had been discontinued as a result of disciplinary proceedings initiated against Nawaz by the previous managements over the violation of Code of Conduct under the Players’ Welfare Policy.
Former cricketer assured the PCB of his compliance to the Code of Conduct and the ex gratia payments to him under the Players’ Welfare Policy will be now be resumed.
Ashraf said, “I was upset to see a former test cricketer in such a condition and it was disturbing to see Sarfraz Nawaz being deprived of his rightful pension. It is disappointing that the previous administrations have used the PCB’s coffers to settle personal scores.”
“No cricketer should have to go through what Sarfraz Nawaz had to face, and I want to reassure every former and current cricketer, international or domestic, that the PCB considers them as its asset and will look after them at every stage of their life and in every possible way. They deserve to be loved and respected by their cricket board,” Ashraf said.
Sarfraz Nawaz said, “I have visited the National Cricket Academy after almost six years and received a warm welcome from the PCB officials. I am pleased that Mr Zaka Ashraf has reinstated my pension. Given my health, I am particularly grateful for this step.”
“In a voluntary capacity, I offer honourary services to the board to enhance fast bowlers' skills for cricket's advancement.”
Sarfraz Nawaz played 55 Tests and 45 One-Day International for Pakistan from 1969 till 1984. He famously delivered a 33-ball spell in Melbourne on 15 March 1979, in which he took seven wickets for just one run. He went on to bowl his best bowling figures of nine for 86 in that innings which helped Pakistan to their second Test win in Australia.
The right-arm fast bowler took 177 Test wickets at 32.75 and dismissed 63 batters in ODIs at 23.22 runs apiece. He took 1,005 wickets at an average of 24.62 in first-class cricket.
