Speaking in strict confidence to PakPassion.net a Pakistani cricketer who will be taking part in the upcoming Faysal Bank twenty20 tournament in Rawalpindi confirmed that the players who will be playing in this high profile tournament will be paid match fees of the equivalent of £20 to £25 per match.

The cricketer who is a highly rated youngster and has represented Pakistan previously stated "how on earth are we supposed to survive on match fees of £20 to £25. The amount is ridiculous and is nothing compared to what cricketers in other parts of the world receive for equivalent tournaments. I've heard that even club cricketers in England receive more than what we will receive."

The Faysal Bank twenty20 tournament is an extremely profitable tournament for the Pakistan Cricket Board with television and advertising revenue generating healthy income, but it seems that the PCB is unwilling to pass on the profits to the most important commodity in the tournament and that is the cricketers.

The cricketer further added "Friends of mine have come back from playing in the Dhaka Premier League recently and were paid thousands of dollars per match. The Bangladeshi cricketers in that tournament were literally laughing at their Pakistani counterparts at the poor match fees they are receiving. The Board is making good money from the twenty20 tournaments it holds, but the players don't seem to be included in the success."

A player's union has been talked about amongst former and current players but has not "got off the ground" and the cricketer believes that a Pakistani cricketers union is essential for the cricketer's voice to be heard.

"Time and again the player's are mistreated yet nothing happens. Players get banned, the salaries are extremely poor, yet not a word is said for fear of reprisal. I think it's time that a cricketer's union was formed and our voice finally heard. At the moment it doesn't matter what happens, we do not have a voice and there is a fear factor amongst cricketers in Pakistan to openly talk about such problems."

The cricketer added "If you are playing international cricket then you are looked after and paid well. I am not saying that domestic cricketers should receive huge pay hikes, but at least pay us a decent amount of money, as many first class cricketers are struggling to survive and support their families, particularly those who cannot get contracts overseas."

The Faysal Bank Super 8s Cup starts on 25th March and sees Pakistan's top 8 ranked twenty20 tournament take part in a format that has two groups of four teams, then semi finals, followed by a final.