Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to award an eye-watering amount of prize money to the Champions Cup-winning mentor Saqlain Mushtaq.
According to reports Saqlain Mushtaq who “mentored” the victorious Panthers team will earn a jaw-dropping 10 million rupees for his success on top of his already hefty salary of 5 million rupees in the role.
PCB had appointed former international players Waqar Younis, Misbah-ul-Haq, Saqlain Mushtaq, and Shoaib Malik, alongside Sarfaraz Ahmed as heads of the five participating teams in the Champions Cup One-Day Cricket Tournament with each mentor agreeing to a lucrative monthly salary of 5 million rupees for their services.
According to sources, the 10 million PKR prize was initially reserved for the players and officials of the winning team but the suggestion was rebuffed by the mentors who decided to cash it in among themselves.
Saqlain Mushtaq won the sweep-steaks when his side Panthers defeated Misbah-ul-Haq’s Marhkhors in the final at Faisalabad.
The Shadab Khan-led Panthers were awarded PKR 30 million for their efforts while Iftikhar Ahmed’s runner-ups bagged PKR 15 million for their contribution.
PCB had decided to use prize money as an active inducement to bring high-profile names to a domestic circuit that has struggled to produce players of international caliber. With a money-laden approach going forward as well, the board will be hoping to secure a long-term investment from the players and the support staff as well.