Pension Suspended Since 2017, Retired Pakistan Cricketer Gets Relief From PCB

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has restored the pension of former Test pace bowler Sarfaraz Nawaz, who had all his payments suspended since January 2017 after making unsubstantiated defamatory statements against former Chairman, Najam Sethi. The ex gratia payments were discontinued as a result of disciplinary proceedings initiated against Nawaz by the previous set-ups of the PCB over his violation of the Code of Conduct under the Players' Welfare Policy.

Nawaz, who is not keeping well after a health scare in London last year, met with PCB chief Zaka Ashraf who is also the head of the PCB's Cricket Management Committee in Lahore on Tuesday in a bid to resolve the suspended ex gratia payments.

He assured the PCB of his compliance with the Code of Conduct.

Ashraf handed over a cheque to Nawaz to settle the outstanding payments in the presence of the head of the Cricket Technical Committee, Misbah ul Haq and member, Muhammad Hafeez.

The payment has been made to Nawaz under the PCB's Players' Welfare Policy and the PCB Chief assured unconditional support for former players.

PCB restores Sarfraz Nawaz's pension following meeting with Mr Zaka Ashraf, Chairman of the PCB Management Committee.Read more https://t.co/b5LUkd0ue7 pic.twitter.com/NSixkqBYSD

Ashraf said he decided to meet with the former Test pacer and hear him about as he was upset to learn that a former Test cricketer was in bad condition and was being deprived of his pension which was his right.

"It is disappointing that the previous administrations have used the PCB's coffers to settle personal scores,” Ashraf said.

"No cricketer should have to go through what Nawaz had to face, and I want to reassure every former and current cricketer, international or domestic,