My two cents...: Lol!

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Lol!

LAHORE: Pakistan cricketers are planning to encash their Twenty20 World Cup triumph and ask for a hike in the existing contracts with their respective Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises next season. After IPL organisers announced that Pakistan players would be welcome to play next season subject to clearance from both governments, sources in the sports management company representing players like Misbahul Haq, Sohail Tanvir, Umar Gul or Kamran Akmal said they are unlikely to play on their old contractual terms of $100,000 each.

“These players are now iconic figures after winning the T20 World Cup and it makes no sense that they should settle for old terms when other players are being paid in millions,” a source said.

The Pakistan players could not take part in the second season of IPL this year after the Pakistan foreign ministry advised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) against sending players to India after the Mumbai terror attacks. The franchises concerned then either terminated or suspended the contracts of the Pakistani players who had represented them in the first season. IPL commissioner Lalit Modi has said franchises are free to play their Pakistan signings next season provided the governments of the two countries give the clearance.

“Recently a senior official of the sports management company visited India and met with Modi and other franchise officials regarding the contractual issues of the Pakistan players who were not informed whether they would receive payments as per their contracts or these were terminated or suspended because they didn’t play in the second season,” source added. He said the official had spoken to the IPL organisers about the possibility of Pakistan players taking part in the next IPL season. “But now with the Pakistan having won the World Cup obviously the scenario has changed and it is unlikely the players will go back on their old contractual terms as they feel their value is greater now,” he said.

32 comments:

Sailesh Ganesh said...: The feeling of entitlement that some cricketers feel always cracks me up. Started with Pricky on his "basement bargain" purchase, and now the Pakistani cricketers. Lets see what the market thinks!; 10:42 PM, June 25, 2009
Homer said...: Sailesh,

Precisely my thought as I read the article :)

Cheers,; 10:50 PM, June 25, 2009
Anonymous said...: These Pakis are a weird bunch - Afridi has been talking lot of nonsense since the win e.g. why do we need the next world cup in 9 months (As if he came to know that only after the win)? Indians didn't want to play Pak; Younis saying come and play in Pak when the victorious team couldn't meet the crowd at the Airport due to security issues; Ejaz Butt saying BCCI shafted us out of the 2011 world cup. But now they want more money out of IPL - BTW who runs IPL you Paki guys - BCCI. You can't eat the cake and have it as well. As in share market, past performance is no indication of the future especially in teh case of Afridi - he scores once in 20 innings and so his market value can't go very high based on recent performance.; 11:15 PM, June 25, 2009
Homer said...: Anonymous,

Let us also not forget Afridi's comments on VVS Laxman when playing for the Chargers last season.

It will be interesting to see how things pan out in the next auction - teams have already paid substantial amounts and no one is sure of what the cap is.Also, with full rosters, where exactly will the Pakistan players be accommodated?

Thanks for your comments and welcome to the blog :)

Cheers,; 11:21 PM, June 25, 2009
Q said...: I don't see whats funny.

IPL franchises cancelled the Pakistani players contracts. Now, just because they have won the cup, the franchises have renewed the contracts.

Why?

And why should the Pak players accept to play?

If the IPL franchises want them, they should go through an auction. You can't just cancel the contracts and then renew them as and when u feel like it.

If the contract is cancelled, the player is done with.

I don't think any of the Pak players should accept their contracts with their respective franchises.

As for Afridi's comments regarding VVS - I don't see why that was an issue.

He was asked by a reporter who he thought was the better captain - VVS or Gilchrist.

And Afridi gave his opinion that it was Gilchrist.

Wats wrong with that? Why get touchy?

As for the comment that Afridi made regarding the next T20 in 9 months - he just echoed what the rest of the Pak fans feelings. Its not a complaint, its just a sentiment that the victory would have felt a whole lot better if Pak were defending champions for 2 years. That's all.; 1:38 AM, June 26, 2009
scorpicity said...: I agree with Q on some of the points:

If they did cancel the contract, then it is always a question of a fresh contract via an auction.

If they suspended a few, then the franchise ought to pay for the suspended period but can carry on the following year as per their contract.

But to be fair to all, we don't know what is happening, so let's adopt a wait and watch for the official tit bids from the franchises.

As for now none of us know what the franchises have officially told them.; 5:01 AM, June 26, 2009
raj said...: I too agree with q on some points. But i-ll not forgive afridi for the vvs comments. Let me see if gilly can win a semis pace with bloated ego afridi in his team$ next year. Besides, gilly had a worse record than axman in the first year; 8:10 AM, June 26, 2009
Homer said...: That is not the complete story is it, Q?

The IPL franchises terminated or suspended the contracts of the Pakistan players BECAUSE the Pakistan Govt prevented the said players from playing in India.

Then there was the case that the Pakistan players demanded inclusion in the IPL when it was shifted to South Africa.

This was followed by them demanding compensation for their non participation, first from the PCB, then from the IPL.

And no franchise has renewed the contracts - the franchises have expressed interest, subject to both governments being in agreement.

As regards the the suspended contracts, I am pretty sure the time frame for the contracts is 3 years, after which they are subject to review. So for those Pakistan players whose contracts have been suspended, there is really no question of negotiation.

Then this

Afridi had said that Adam Gilchrist would have been a better choice to lead the side than Laxman. "At times Laxman lost the plot on the field," Afridi had told Geo News. "Twenty20 cricket is not his forte. Adam is more comfortable in this type of cricket. He played some really good innings and his input was very good at times on the field. If they do appoint Adam as captain I think he would be a better choice than Laxman."

If the governments so accede, the Pakistan players can make themselves available for the auction next year. We shall then see what their true worth is.

Cheers,; 8:25 AM, June 26, 2009
Homer said...: Scorpi,

Why should the franchise pay for suspended contracts?

The contracts were suspended not because the franchises wanted it that way but because the players made themselves unavailable.

Cheers,; 8:26 AM, June 26, 2009
Q said...: Homer, Raj, Scorpi,

Firstly about the suspended contracts.

Majority of the contracts were cancelled. Renewing those is out of the question.

Only 4 of them were suspended. I believe those can be un-suspended and there will be no room for negotiation there, I agree.

The Pak players did not make themselves unavailable. They were disallowed to travel to India by the Pak Govt. And there is no guarantee that the Ind. Govt would not have stopped them had they even been allowed. Remember Asif being stopped at Delhi?

So it was out of the hands of the PCB and the players.

That led to the cancellation / suspension of their contracts.

Players like Ponting and Hussey opted out of the IPL. It was their choice. No one stopped them. While Watson, Hopes, Bracken were all not allowed to play by the team doctor despite not having any major injuries.

Were their contracts cancelled / suspended?

No. Why not?

You tell me.

Were they paid despite not appearing in the IPL.

Yes. Why?

You tell me?

All IPL franchises are entitled to pay the players on their roster whether or not they appear in the matches or not. Its a percentage, but they are paid.

About the VVS comment.

That comment was made in Urdu and what u have put up Homer is how it was translated in the media.

Again, I assure you that Afridi was not putting VVS down...

He was asked who the better captain was.

Afridi said VVS was new to 20-20 and he didn't understand it as well as Gilchrist.

He gave his honest opinion.

He even apologized to VVS after he found out that VVS was upset at him...; 9:08 AM, June 26, 2009
Homer said...: Q,

Two points

1. Ponting was not on the KKR roster and was not paid for the season. Which is why everyone fell over themselves applauding his "selflessness". Ditto the other Australian players. The brothers Hussey were available for part of the tourney and were paid for the period they made themselves available.

2. the sports management company representing players like Misbahul Haq, Sohail Tanvir, Umar Gul or Kamran Akmal said they are unlikely to play on their old contractual terms of $100,000 each.

“These players are now iconic figures after winning the T20 World Cup and it makes no sense that they should settle for old terms when other players are being paid in millions,” a source said.

Unlikely to play??? If their contracts were suspended and are to be restored, they have no option but to play under the terms of the contract. Unless they chose to not make themselves available.

About the VVS comment, werent both of them disciplined after the incident?

Cheers,; 9:32 AM, June 26, 2009
Q said...: Homer,

Re 1: Even if they were not paid (I think they were), their contracts were not cancelled / suspended... how was their case different from the Pak players?

Re 2: About those 4, yes their contracts were only suspended and if they are called back they will have to play on the amount they were bought for initially.. it makes sense. Not for the ones with cancelled contracts though.

Not sure if Afridi and VVS were disciplined...; 9:49 AM, June 26, 2009
Homer said...: Q,

1. The cases are different because it was the Government of Pakistan that prevented the players from traveling to India and not the players choosing not to participate.

2, If we are in agreement that if the suspended contracts are restored, the same terms must apply, then why this sense of entitlement? That is what I find amusing about this article and the attitude of the PCB and the Pakistan players in general.

Cheers,; 10:06 AM, June 26, 2009
Q said...: Homer,

Re 1: Whose contracts should be cancelled/suspended - those who themselves opt out displaying no loyalty to their IPL franchises, or those who are not allowed to play due to external factors?

Re 2: Agreed. Initially I thought the article mentioned all the players, but its only abt those with suspended contracts. So it doesn't make sense for them to demand more money.; 10:12 AM, June 26, 2009
Homer said...: Q,

1. Moot point, but let us also remember that the Pakistani players wanted to ( at various times)
a. Sue the IPL for compensation
b. Seek compensation from the Pakistan Government or the PCB
c. Negotiate with Modi for compensation.

Unlike Ponting, who was ready to forego the money for a cause he thought was more important.

Also, let us put the external factors in context here - the security situation in Mumbai dipped because Pakistanis came into the country and shot people up.

Which is very different from what happened in Lahore.

The foreign ministry used security in India as the pretext after the sports ministry had cleared the players which is what prevented the players from playing in the IPL.

So how is the IPL or any other body responsible? But yet, compensation was sought.

So, taken in conjunction with point 2 of what you wrote, how do you explain the sense of entitlement in the Pakistan cricketing establishment?

Why does the world owe Pakistan cricket anything despite its acts of omission or commission?

Cheers,; 10:22 AM, June 26, 2009
Yenjie said...: I would say this - the value of the Pakistani players on IPL teams is questionable for the simple reason that IPL 2 was a big success without them. No doubt they are great players and add cricketing value to any team; however, the IPL is supported by Indian sponsors, for whom Pakistani players are not great value because most Indian companies have zero income from Pakistan, or even ex-pat Pakistanis. Even the TV revenue from Pakistan (Geo) is miniscule compared to the Indian and global markets. That is really the problem with pakistan cricket - despite the extreme popularity of the sport, the dead in the ditch Pakistan economy simply does not compare to the economic power of the Indian powerhouses. Just one example - the Pakistan government announced prizes in the thousands of dollars for their WC winning players. In India, cricket players would laugh at that kind of money - they pay that much in match fines every series, without even feeling the pinch. It is sad, and to Pakistani eyes, undoubtedly unfair, but it is the reality nevertheless. Does an Afridi, or Gul or even a Sohail Tanvir add value to the bottomline of an Indian business supporting the sport? I seriously doubt it. When you couple that with the mercurial nature of the players - when good, they are incredible, but when bad they can destroy team spirit - the incentive is simply not there to pay premium prices for them. Even in the ICL, the Pakistani players eventually became effective only when an all Pak team was assembled. That is unlikely to happen in the IPL, because (a) its an Indian domestic league, and (b) who can afford to buy an IPL franchise in Pakistan today (other than maybe Zardari or Sharif). I think the franchises will persist with the original contracted amounts, and I think the Pakistani players will realize they do not have any bargaining power in the situation. Sad truth of Pakistan's today, and tomorrow might be even worse unless the people realize where the country is headed.; 10:41 AM, June 26, 2009
Q said...: Homer,

The sense of entitlement (sueing IPL, demanding compensation) came once the IPL was shifted to South Africa.

When that happened the Govt. allowed the Pak players to appear in the IPL. If the IPL and Modi really wanted them they would have made it happen.

As it is, Modi did say that the Pak players dues were outstanding, whether from the previous year or those they were entitled to due to cancellation of contracts and that is what the players demanded.; 10:43 AM, June 26, 2009
Homer said...: Thanks for the comment Yenjie.. Valid points all.

Cheers,; 1:28 PM, June 26, 2009
Homer said...: Q,

So let me understand this - the Pakistan Sports Ministry has no issues with sending the cricketers to India but the Foreign Ministry does. So the players are a no show.

Then the Pakistan Government decides that it is kosher for Pakistani players to play in an Indian tournament because of a shift in venue.

And in the mean time, to fill the non availability of the Pakistan players, the franchises have to shell out extra cash to buy other players in lieu.

And because the Pakistan players are available, the IPL franchises are expected to pay them and accommodate them in their rosters ( in addition to the other players they have already paid for).

So, the IPL is hostage to the whims of the Pakistan government and the franchises are expected to pay over and above their budgets because hey, the Pakistan players are available after all.

Question is, why?

Cheers,; 1:33 PM, June 26, 2009
Homer said...: Also, as Yenjie pointed out, the non presence of Pakistan players did not make an iota of difference in IPL 2.

So the notion that because they are World Champions will automatically qualify them for higher salaries is far fetched.

Cheers,; 1:34 PM, June 26, 2009
Q said...: Alright so firstly, Yenjie's statement that Pakistan's absence from IPL-2 made no difference to the quality and appeal of the league, is completely true. And I agree with it.

However, the fact that they are world champs now has not led them to say they deserve to be in the IPL.. it is the various CEOs and coaches of the IPL franchises who came out the day after Pakistan's victory saying that they would welcome them back next year.

So who is demanding who is clear.

As for demanding higher salaries.. those with suspended contracts have no right to.

But those with cancelled contracts, for them it would be left to the auction. Or rather should be.

Secondly, abt the non-availability of the Pak Players.

It was only because the IPL was being played in India. It was unsafe for Pakistanis to travel to India at the time - no one will claim otherwise.

Once the shift happened, no doubt it was alright for the Pak players to participate. The issue was never the "Indian" tournament, but rather the venue.

The franchises did not have to shell out "extra" cash because they had the cash they were not paying the Pak players to use for the new players.

Now I understand that that meant that the Pak players will not be able to participate because 1) the squads were finalized and 2) the franchises were not going to go over budget for them.

BUT, the Pak players were owed dues from the year before and those that they were entitled to due to cancellation of contracts.

Where is the problem?; 6:50 PM, June 26, 2009
Naresh said...: Aw c'mon Homer, the Pakistanis just won a world cup - remember 2007? So I think they are entitled to their pride and also to their "sense of entitlement"

The latter though seems to be a theme that goes well beyond the boundaries, of the game and a few others - regardless of whether a world cup has been won.

Ouchh!!! Now I am crossing the bounaries of the blog - someone's gonna shout "wrong forum!!!".; 2:42 AM, June 27, 2009
scorpicity said...: Homer.

Agreed with the suspension part and payment. I thought the players did have clauses that they will continue to be paid in spite of a no show where factors were not in their control. Maybe that is restricted to only injury.

Cheers; 6:48 AM, June 28, 2009
raj said...: To me the biggest problem with Pak cricketers is what Yenjie outlines - you cant predict how they'll perform on a given day. While this is true of everyone, we all know that an Afridi fires once in 25 innings.
In my opinion, the best time to pick Afridi is when he is down in the dumps, not when he is flush from recent success. Law of Afridi averages will ensure a bigger probability fo success in the former case than the latter!; 4:30 AM, June 29, 2009
Homer said...: Q,

The problem is that the players with the suspended contracts are the ones mentioned in the article who are seeking higher contracts.

That is the sense of entitlement that I am talking about.

Also, the Pakistan players were repaid dues accrued from their participation in IPL1. To the best of my knowledge, no one got paid for missing out IPL 2.

Cheers,; 9:37 AM, June 29, 2009
Homer said...: Naresh,

We will limit ourselves to the cricket :)

Cheers,; 9:38 AM, June 29, 2009
Homer said...: Raj,

True.

Cheers,; 9:39 AM, June 29, 2009
raj said...: Well, let's assume that the contracts are revised now and Pak players given bigger amounts. Suppose Pakistan crashes out in first round 10 months down the line in the next world cup, will the contract be up for revision again? Will the players request a new contract with a lesser sum then?
(Is the next World cup before next IPL? That would be fun then to hear the same players if they dont perform well in the next WC!)

Q, dont get me wrong, I was very happy with their win in the World Cup but this sense of anti-Indian establishment is perplexing? The BCCI is doing everything it can possible for the best of Pakistna Cricket - you cant get a better friend than the BCCI. If you desert the BCCI, ACB and ECB gain control and they'll piss on us (Pak, SL, Ind, Bang) all - probably , the veto will be back. I just cant undeerstand why Paki board and players are riling and ranting against the BCCI and its friends.; 11:38 AM, June 29, 2009
Q said...: Homer,

I understand that now.. the ones with suspended contracts cannot demand higher pays.

No one got paid for missing out on IPL-2, no one demanded that either. They demanded their dues from IPL-1 and the amounts they were entitled to due to suspension / cancellation of contracts.. that amount was a stipulation and their entitlement..

Plus there was also a case regarding how they were dumped from the IPL - none of the franchises bothered to contact the Pak players to tell them that their contracts were being cancelled.. they heard through the media.; 1:52 PM, June 29, 2009
Q said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 1:54 PM, June 29, 2009
Q said...: Raj,

The IPL is before the next World T20.

I agree with the fact that the PCB needs to be in the good books of the BCCI.

I don't think the players have made anti-statements, as much as the PCB Board members have.. and they have done so since the world cup shift mostly..

As for the players.. their fight is with the IPL and I feel they r right in doing so..; 1:54 PM, June 29, 2009
Homer said...: Q,

Here is the time line per CricINfo about the players being "dumped"

February 2, 2009 - Pakistan has barred its players from participating in the IPL after its foreign ministry deemed it was unsafe for the cricketers to travel to India in the wake of the November terrorist attacks in Mumbai.

February 5, 2009 - There are 50 hopefuls, but only 17 will be smiling come Friday evening. Six Pakistanis - Younis Khan, Shoaib Malik, Shoaib Akhtar, Shahid Afridi, Salman Butt and Mohammed Hafeez - already have a reason to feel aggrieved, after their franchises opted to terminate their contracts. With players from across the border being denied permission to play in the IPL, four other contracts - Umar Gul, (Kolkata), Misbah-ul-Haq (Bangalore), Kamran Akmal and Sohail Tanvir (Rajasthan) - have been "suspended", with the affected teams allowed to sign replacements outside of the auction.

February 16, 2009 - The four Pakistan players whose contracts have been "suspended" by the IPL have appealed to the President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, to compensate them for the loss in earnings brought about by the government's decision to not allow them to travel to India to take part.

Long story short, why did a) the Pakistan Foreign ministry overturn the player participation after the Sports Ministry cleared it and b) Why did it take the Pakistan authorities until 3 days before the auction to announce this?

And now, post the World Cup, for the Pakistan players to go on record to say that they should get higher compensation - that is what I mean by sense of entitlement, that the world owes them more than they owe the world.

Cheers,; 11:07 AM, June 30, 2009

My two cents...

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Lol!

32 comments:

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