Pakistan cricketers pledge part of earnings to former cricketers

In a heartwarming move, Pakistan's cricketers have decided to donate a percentage of their earnings to a fund for former Pakistan players. Speaking to Reuters, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Pakistan's captain, said, "We have decided that every player in the team will donate five percent of his earnings from every match for a former player."

"We have also asked the Pakistan board," continued Inzamam, "to contribute the same amount that we raise. They are receptive to the idea. We, the players, feel that there are lot of former Pakistan cricketers in the country who are in need of help and financial assistance."

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) launched a provident fund scheme for its players a few years ago, but that did nothing for players of earlier generations. Pakistan internationals of the 1970s and earlier decades have been known to get into financial difficulties. The PCB does have a contract with the Cricketers Benefit Fund Series based in Sharjah which sees substantial prize money frome ach tournament there shared among ex-cricketers nominated by the board, but these still leaves too many players out of the loop.

Inzamam also said that his team intended to auction cricket equipment To raise funds for ex-cricketers. He said, "the Board will decide which players get the money on the basis of their needs and seniority."