Fans slam PCB after story of Pakistan cricketer turning driver goes viral on social media

Pakistan first-class cricketer Fazal Subhan now drives a pickup mini truck to earn a living.  |  Photo Credit: Twitter

The story of Pakistani first-class cricketer Fazal Subhan's struggles after the abolishment of departmental cricket in the country went viral on social media on Saturday. Subhan, who once had a promising future lying ahead of him, now drives a mini pickup truck to earn a living. His story was shared by a Pakistani journalist on Twitter with a video where the 31-year-old can be seen driving his mini pickup. 

Many local domestic cricketers like Subhan are currently struggling to make ends meet after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)'s decision to abolish departmental cricket in a bid to revamp the cricketing structure in the country. The decision was met with criticism from all corners. However, the PCB is yet to forge and present a proper plan to help out the local cricketers who are now fighting to earn their livelihood by doing odd jobs after losing their contracts.

In a video which went viral on Saturday, Subhan, who played for the Pakistan U-19 side, narrated his struggles and revealed how he now drives a pickup mini truck to sustain his family. He said the situation was the same for several other cricketers like him, who are struggling to make ends meet after the abolishment of departmental cricket. 

“I worked so hard to play for Pakistan. During departmental cricket, we were drawing a salary of Rs 1,00,000 but since the departments have shut down we are down to Rs 30,000-35,000, which is not enough to survive. I am grateful that at least I have this job right now because of the way things are, who knows if I would even have this tomorrow. We have no choice; we have to do something for our children," Subhan tells the reporter.

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“Yes, I drive this (pickup) for bhara (fare). This is seasonal work. Some days there is a lot of work, and sometimes there is nothing for 10 days," he adds. The video was shared by Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Hafeez on Twitter, who slammed the PCB for their new rules and stated that thousands of cricketers have been left unemployed. Fans on Twitter also reacted to the viral video and expressed their sympathy with Subhan.

Heres how Twitter reacted after Fazal Subhan's video went viral:

Subhan played 40 First-Class matches amassing 2301 runs at an average of 32.87 including five centuries and eleven fifties. He also played 29 List A games scoring 659 runs at an average of 23.53 in Pakistan.