Afridi receives flowers from fans outside his residence in Karachi
KARACHI: Pakistan cricket team is set to become richer by more than US$ one million due to their stupendous show in the tournament, where they lost the semi-final to eventual champions India.
The World Cup also promises a financial boost for the Pakistan Cricket Board, which lost the hosting rights in 2009 shortly after militants attacked the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore.
According to reports, the Pakistan team scooped up net prize money of US$ one million and fifty thousand. The prize money includes rewards for Pakistan’s five wins in the group matches at US$ 60,000 plus 750,000 for reaching the semi-final of the tournament.
Pakistan won six of their eight matches, including against Australia and runners-up Sri Lanka in the competition. According to the regulations, the ICC will pay the prize money directly to the PCB which will distribute it among the players and officials.
The Pakistani players can also expect cash bonus for reaching the semi-final from the PCB. The Punjab chief minister Shahbaz Sharif has already announced that he will distribute half-a-million rupees each to every player of the team for their good performance in the mega event.
The PCB will also be richer by around US$ eight million, which was assured to them for being the co-hosts. Another undisclosed amount will also be received by the PCB as their share of the revenues from ticket sales, advertising revenues and hospitality boxes from the 14 matches.
“The money from the World Cup will definitely improve our financial health as we have already lost out on a lot of estimated revenue due to India`s refusal to tour Pakistan in early 2009 for a bilateral series. We have also been forced to play our last few home series abroad at neutral venues,” a board official said.
