October 30 Wednesday 2002
Waqar backs rewards, fines for national team

KARACHI: Captain Waqar Younis Tuesday welcomed a decision by the Pakistan Cricket Board to penalise players for defeat and dispense rewards for victory.

"I think it will bear positive results and be a great motivation for the players to thwart a defeat and always go for the win," Waqar said. The PCB Monday announced performance-based incentives for Pakistan cricketers ahead of next month's tour of Zimbabwe.

Players will earn 20 percent more income for every one day day or Test match win, while they will lose 20 percent of their remuneration if they should lose. "I do not see it as a threat and hope that players will do their best to cash in on these incentives," the Pakistani captain said.

Pakistan's once stellar cricket team has gone into steep decline in the last three months, most recently suffering a 3-0 Test series drubbing at the hands of Australia earlier this month during a " home" series in the United Arab Emirates and Sri Lanka.

"Pakistani cricket will improve only with the mutual consent of players and the board and I see full cooperation between them," he said. The PCB will also penalise players up to 60,000 rupees (1,000 dollars) if they are not up to the fitness standards required for international cricket, a problem which many Pakistan players have faced since last year's tour of New Zealand.

Ace batsmen Inzamam-ul Haq and Yousuf Youhana missed the crucial series against Australia due to injuries and are now back in the squad for the Zimbabwe tour. The PCB has also maintained the cash incentives introduced last year.

A batsman will get 250,000 rupees for a double century and 100,000 rupees for each century scored. A five wicket haul will fetch a bowler 100,000 rupees and six or more wickets could earn him 200,000 rupees. A wicketkeeper will gain 100,000 rupees if he gets four or more victims, while a fielder will get 100,000 rupees for four catches or a run-out.