The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday restored the pension of former Pakistan fast bowler Sarfaraz Nawaz after a gap of more than six years.
Management Committee Chairman Zaka Ashraf met Nawaz to resolve his outstanding ex-gratia payments since January 2017, a statement from the board said on Tuesday.
The meeting was held in a pleasant atmosphere in the presence of former captains Misbah-ul-Haq and Muhammad Hafeez at the National Cricket Academy.
Ashraf handed over a check for settlement of payments under the Players Welfare Policy and assured unconditional support to Nawaz, the statement said.
Ex-gratia payments were stopped as a result of disciplinary proceedings initiated against Nawaz by the previous administration for violating the Code of Conduct under the Players Welfare Policy.
Nawaz has assured the PCB of compliance with the code of conduct and ex-gratia payments to him under the Players Welfare Policy will now be resumed.
Speaking on the occasion, Ashraf said, “I am saddened to see a former Test cricketer in such a state and saddened to see Sarfaraz Nawaz deprived of his rightful pension. It is disappointing that the previous administration used the PCB treasury. What did Set a personal score.
“No cricketer should have to go through what Sarfraz Nawaz had to go through, and I want to assure every former and current cricketer, international or domestic, that the PCB considers them an asset and will help them every step of the way in life. He will take care of him on the stage. And in every possible way. He deserves love and respect from the cricket board.”
Speaking on the occasion, Nawaz said that he visited the National Cricket Academy after almost six years and received a warm welcome from the PCB officials.
“I am happy that Zaka Ashraf has restored my pension. Considering my health, I am especially grateful for this step.
“In a voluntary capacity, I offer complimentary services to the board to enhance the skills of fast bowlers for the development of cricket.”
Nawaz played 55 Tests and 45 One Day Internationals for Pakistan from 1969 to 1984. He produced his best bowling figures of 9 for 86 in that innings which helped Pakistan win the second Test in Australia.
The right-arm pacer took 177 Test wickets at 32.75 and dismissed 63 batsmen at 23.22 in ODIs. He took 1005 wickets in first-class cricket at an average of 24.62.
