Abu Dhabi T10 chairman Shaji Ul Mulk promises all player salaries will be paid in full

Shaji Ul Mulk, the chairman of Abu Dhabi T10, has guaranteed all players will be paid their salaries in full, and that any team owners who fall short of doing so will be thrown out of the league.

The 10-over tournament was one of two UAE-based cricket leagues, the other being the Masters Champions League, named in a report by the global players’ union for issues of late or non-payment of players.

The Federation of International Cricketers’ Association (Fica) released its men’s global employment report for 2020 on Monday.

The report covers the 2018-19 period, and is based on a survey of nearly 300 men’s professional and international players.

The report says 32 per cent of men’s players have experienced late or non-payment issues in ICC-sanctioned leagues.

Specifically, it named the Global T20 Canada, Bangladesh Premier League, Abu Dhabi T10, Qatar T10, Euro T20 Slam and the MCL, the competition for veteran players which lasted one season in Dubai and Sharjah.

A number of players and coaches say they are still waiting to be paid 50 per cent of their salaries from the 2019 T10 eight months after its conclusion. For domestic players, that amounts to $5,000 (Dh18,000), before accounting for win bonuses.

Ul Mulk believes that around eight players are in that position, and says the situation will be rectified.

“We had around 130 international players in the league, and around 90 to 95 per cent of them were paid on time,” Ul Mulk said.

“We have information that a couple of teams have not yet paid their players in full.

“These teams have been served payment notices. They will not be given entry into the new season until all of their players have been 100 per cent paid.

“We are totally protecting the rights of the players. The league will ensure that all these players are paid.

“It is a process. The teams have been given a chance to correct their breach.

“If they don’t pay, they have been served notice, the team will be taken away, and the league will pay the player eventually.”

Tom Moffat, the chief executive of Fica, said the ICC need to do more to protect the rights of players around the world.

“Systematic contract breaches and non-payment of players are issues that urgently need addressing,” Moffat said.

“The ICC has an obligation to protect people working within its regulatory frameworks, and it’s time something was done about this issue.

“We continue to urge decision makers to work with Fica at global level, and players’ associations at domestic level, to develop joint solutions to issues highlighted in these reports, many of which are likely to be exacerbated by the current global situation.”

Eoin Morgan, who has played in all three seasons of the T10 to date, which included winning its first edition in 2017, said such leagues are important.

“It’s essential the global cricket structure and leadership protects the history of the game and also its future,” Morgan was quoted as saying.

“Domestic leagues and international cricket both have a really important place and there needs to be a balance between them.”