Pakistan, the winners of the 2009 T20 World Cup, failed to honor promised rewards for its players, a controversy that has resurfaced years later. Despite receiving cheques from the then Prime Minister, the payments bounced, leaving the victorious cricketers empty-handed.
2009 Triumph Turns Sour
Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka to claim the 2009 T20 World Cup, a major achievement that cemented its place among the strongest teams in early T20 history. Former Pakistani spinner Saeed Ajmal, one of the standout performers of the tournament, recently shared details in a 2023 podcast.
Ajmal revealed that each player was promised PKR 2.5 million by then-Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani. “We even received cheques, but they bounced,” Ajmal recalled. “I was astonished that a government cheque could bounce. We were told that the PCB chief would handle it, but he refused, saying it was a government promise. Ultimately, we only received payments from the ICC.”
Saeed Ajmal’s Legacy
Ajmal was one of Pakistan’s most successful spinners in the 2009 World Cup, taking 12 wickets. Known for his remarkable skill, he played 35 Tests, 113 ODIs, and 64 T20Is, taking 178, 184, and 85 wickets respectively. However, his career ended in 2015 after the ICC suspended him due to issues with his bowling action.
Pakistan’s T20 Struggles Since 2009
Since their 2009 victory, Pakistan has failed to win another T20 World Cup. In the 2022 edition in Australia, they reached the final but lost to England. Meanwhile, for the upcoming 2026 T20 World Cup, Pakistan will not play in India but will participate in matches co-hosted by Sri Lanka, with India and Sri Lanka serving as joint hosts for the tournament.
The 2009 payout controversy remains a stark reminder of administrative failures in cricket, overshadowing the players’ historic achievements.
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