WEST Indies players were reportedly offered a 100 per cent increase in wages by Cricket West Indies (CWI) for two proposed Twenty20 games in Pakistan, in March.The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had attempted to convince WCI to send a team to tour the country, but the proposal was rejected because of ongoing security concerns in the Asian country.
Pakistan has been blacklisted by major Test playing nations since a deadly attack on the Sri Lanka team in 2009.
CWI reportedly considered the tour, but concerns raised by the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) and its parent body, the Federation of International Cricket Associations (FICA), who sent out a release warning players against travelling to the country, reportedly prompted a change of heart from the administration.
According to T&T Guardian, who quoted sources familiar with the situation, players were offered a huge bounty to consider the tour. The reports indicate that the players were being offered as much as US$10 000 as opposed to US$2 500 for regular match fees.
The objections of FICA and WIPA, however, who represent the interest of the players, made it almost impossible for the tour to go ahead. The teams will play a two-match series in Florida. (Sportsmax.com)