Saeed Ajmal Reveals Pakistan PM’s Cheque to Players Bounced After 2009 Triumph

In a resurfaced interview that has sparked renewed debate in cricket circles, former Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal recounted an embarrassing incident following his team's historic 2009 T20 World Cup victory, where reward cheques issued by then-Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani bounced, leaving players without the promised funds. Ajmal, who claimed 12 wickets in the tournament, shared the anecdote during a 2023 podcast with YouTuber Nadir Ali, highlighting what he described as a shocking lapse in governmental support for the sport.

Pakistan's triumph at Lord's in June 2009, under captain Younis Khan, marked the nation's first and only T20 World Cup title to date. The team defeated Sri Lanka by eight wickets in the final, with Ajmal's off-spin playing a pivotal role in restricting opponents throughout the campaign. Upon returning home, the squad were honoured with individual cheques worth PKR 25 lakh (approximately USD 9,000 at the time) from Gilani as a token of appreciation. However, when players attempted to encash them, the cheques were dishonoured due to insufficient funds in the issuing account. "I was shocked that even a government cheque could bounce," Ajmal said in the clip, which has gained traction online amid Pakistan's recent Asia Cup final loss.

Ajmal further revealed that appeals to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for intervention fell on deaf ears. Officials reportedly cited the reward as a direct governmental obligation, refusing to step in. "We were told the PCB chief would handle it, but he refused, saying it was the government's promise," Ajmal added. Ultimately, the players received no compensation beyond the International Cricket Council's official prize money for the tournament winners, estimated at USD 1.4 million split among the squad. This episode underscores longstanding criticisms of administrative hurdles and financial inconsistencies in Pakistan cricket, where players have often voiced frustrations over delayed payments and unfulfilled incentives despite on-field successes.

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The timing of the video's resurgence adds irony, coming just days after Pakistan's defeat to India in the 2025 Asia Cup final on September 28 in Dubai. India chased down 147 for a five-wicket victory, powered by Tilak Varma's unbeaten 69 off 53 balls—including three fours and four sixes—after slumping to 20/3 early in the chase. Partnerships with Sanju Samson (24) and Shivam Dube (33) steadied the innings, with Rinku Singh hitting the winning boundary off Haris Rauf. Earlier, Pakistan were bowled out for 146, collapsing from 113/1 under pressure from India's spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel. This marked India's ninth Asia Cup title and second in T20 format, extending their dominance over Pakistan with three wins in the tournament alone.

In stark contrast to Ajmal's experience, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) swiftly announced a Rs 21 crore (approximately USD 2.5 million) bonus for the Indian team and support staff shortly after the final, in addition to the tournament's USD 300,000 winner's purse. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia described it as a celebration of the team's unbeaten run, emphasising the board's commitment to rewarding excellence. Varma, named Player of the Match, has been a standout in T20I chases, amassing 370 runs in 11 innings at an average of 92.50 and a strike rate of 134.54, including three half-centuries. The announcement has fuelled social media comparisons, with fans highlighting the divergent approaches to player welfare between the two cricketing powerhouses.

Ajmal's career, which ended in 2015 following an ICC suspension for an illegal bowling action, saw him claim 447 international wickets despite such off-field setbacks. His revelation serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by Pakistan's cricketers, even in moments of glory, as the nation prepares for upcoming international fixtures.

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