A report by 'Jang' newspaper exposed that Pakistani players received as little as USD 2500 each for a meet-and-greet event in Dallas during the T20 World Cup 2024. The event, titled 'A Night with Stars,' was ultimately cancelled due to payment disputes involving captain Babar Azam.
These controversies, coupled with Pakistan's early elimination following defeats to the USA and India, have prompted scrutiny from the PCB. Despite four changes in chairmanship since December 2022, no senior management reshuffles have occurred. Internal tensions, particularly between Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi, add further complexity to the situation.
The PCB is now planning to implement a stricter player code of conduct, aiming to address criticism regarding players' families accompanying them on tours and engaging in commercial activities. Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has pointed fingers at officials for team indiscipline and is preparing for organizational changes.
Future policies could restrict families from accompanying players to ICC events, reflecting discontent over perceived privileges that have allegedly contributed to Pakistan's underwhelming performance in World Cups. Senior PCB officials are undergoing performance evaluations in preparation for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy to be hosted in Pakistan.