After more than a decade, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) reinstated ex-fast bowler Sarfraz Nawaz’s pension on Monday.
The head of the Management Committee, Zaka Ashraf, met with Nawaz on Tuesday to discuss the remaining issues with his unpaid ex gratia payments since January 2017, according to a board statement.
Former captains Misbah-ul-Haq and Mohammad Hafeez attended the meeting, which was held in a congenial atmosphere at National Cricket Academy.
According to the statement, Ashraf handed over a cheque to fulfill the payments under the Players’ Welfare Policy and promised Nawaz of his unconditional support.
The ex gratia payments had been halted as a result of disciplinary actions filed by the previous administration against Nawaz for violating the Code of Conduct under the Players’ Welfare Policy.
Nawaz has informed the PCB that he will follow the Code of Conduct and his ex gratia payments under the Players’ Welfare Policy will be restored.
“I was upset to see a former Test cricketer in such a state, and it was disturbing to see Mr. Sarfraz Nawaz being denied his rightful pension,” Ashraf stated at the time. It’s a shame that prior governments utilised the PCB’s finances to settle personal scores.
“No cricketer should have to go through what Mr Sarfraz Nawaz had to go through, and I want to reassure every former and current cricketer, international or domestic, that the PCB regards them as an asset and will look after them at every stage of their lives and in every way possible.” Their cricket board deserves to appreciate and respect them.”
On the occasion, Nawaz stated that he returned to the National Cricket Academy after nearly six years and was greeted warmly by PCB authorities.
“I am grateful to Zaka Ashraf for restoring my pension.” Given my health, I am very thankful for this step.
“I offer honorary services to the board in a voluntary capacity to improve fast bowlers’ skills for the advancement of cricket.”
From 1969 to 1984, Nawaz played 55 Tests and 45 One-Day Internationals for Pakistan. On 15 March 1979, he famously bowled a 33-ball session in Melbourne, taking seven wickets for one run. In that innings, he bowled his best bowling statistics of nine for 86, assisting Pakistan to their second Test triumph in Australia.
The right-arm fast bowler took 177 Test wickets at 32.75 runs per wicket and 63 ODI wickets at 23.22 runs per wicket. In first-class cricket, he captured 1,005 wickets at an average of 24.62.
