Shaheen Afridi receives whopping amount of money from ECB despite ditching The Hundred
Published - 24 Jun 2024, 08:08 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:14 AM
Premier Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Afridi is all set to receive £5,000 from the Hundred competition despite ditching the league as per the reports in the Telegraph. The pacer opted out of his contract with Welsh Fire and then signed a deal for the Global T20 Canada.
Welsh Fire franchise signed the fast bowler in the £100,000 category for the competition. This is notably the second-highest band in the league. The pacer played 6 games for the side last year and made decent contributions.
Shaheen Afridi opted out of the Hundred to play in the Global T20 Canada. The league will be played from 25th July to 11th August. The Hundred on the other hand will be played at the same time, July 23-Aug 18, and hence the two leagues clashing at the same time made the pacer opt for the former.
The reason behind Shaheen Afridi still earning £5,000 from the competition despite pulling is that the policy of the league says that players get a fee worth five percent of their contract, in exchange for their image rights and hence they can keep this share of their contract even if they pull out.
The reports also claimed that Shaheen Afridi will not be facing any sanctions by the Hundred despite playing in a rival league at the same time and instead will be free to be drafted once again for the 2025 competition. Him pulling out of the tournament will only hamper Welsh Fire as they wasted one of their two slots for players at £100,000.
In place of Shaheen Afridi, Welsh Fire has roped in New Zealand fast bowler Matt Henry as a replacement. The Kiwi pacer played for the franchise last year. He, however, will not be getting the initial tranche of image rights that players receive when signing. His contract will be worth £95,000.
Shaheen Afridi's withdrawal from the Hundred massive blow to the league
The reports also claimed that Shaheen Afridi pulling out of the Hundred would be a major blow to the tournament. The league sees Pakistan pacer as one of its best and most marketable players, as they want to make the tournament popular Worldwide and it hasn't been gaining much popularity.
It is learned that playing in Global T20 Canada allows Shaheen Afridi to spend more time at home as the tournament is nine days shorter than the Hundred. The fast bowler will be representing Toronto Nationals in Global T20 Canada.
The reports claimed that The Hundred effectively being outbid for talent by the Canadian league adds to a growing belief that leading players will have to be paid more if they are to be attracted to the league. It remains to be seen what will be the future of the team. The pacer was last seen in action during the T20 World Cup 2024 and had a decent outing with the ball.
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