With Pakistan Cricket Board stressing that it will continue to pay full salaries for its staff and cricketers, Pakistan Test team skipper Azhar Ali has said that team is ready for a pay cut amid global pandemic of Coronavirus.
Azhar Ali said this on Saturday during video interaction with the media.
Azhar said he and his colleagues are aware that the situation is not ideal due to the COVID-19, which has halted sporting activities across the globe.
“It is not a good situation for any country and we know that if this lockdown situation continued for a few months, the Board might ask us to take pay cuts in the old or new central contacts,” Azhar said.
“If such a situation arises that we are asked to take pay cuts we are mentally prepared for it and we will sit down with the Board and take the best decisions, “.
The veteran of 78 tests also said that cricket playing nations and players cannot sit at home for months and no cricket is held.
“Yes at some stage if this situation persists the option of playing in front of empty stadiums can be discussed but only if proper health and preventive measures are put in place by authorities for all stakeholders,” he added.
“It is unfortunate that fans are not watching any action even on TV and if cricket is played behind closed doors, it will provide fans with an opportunity to (at least) watch some cricket, but the health of the public should not be compromised,” he said.
The PCB last year after trimming the list of players from 33 to 19 gave central contracts in different categories running from 1st August to 30th June 2020.