Dhoni's moolah mantra

When India's new born star ? wicket-keeper-batsman Mahendra Singh Dhoni ? can earn millions through contracts with media firms, why can't Pakistanis.

Pakistan cricketers have stopped giving 'free of cost' interviews to both electronic and print media, contending that when India's new born star – wicket-keeper-batsman Mahendra Singh Dhoni – can earn millions through contracts with media firms, why can't they.

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Explaining the situation, Pakistani skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq said that the Indian media had "spoiled the players' habits" by offering money to cricketers in lieu of 'exclusive' interviews.

"What can one do when someone like Kamran Akmal is told by Mahendra Singh Dhoni that he is earning in millions from endorsements and contracts. Our players also say that when the Indians can earn so much by charging fees for having exclusive contracts with the media why can't they do the same?" The News quoted Inzi as saying.

He added: "This is something which the Indian media started and spoiled our habits. Our players are only following in their footsteps. However, there is no bar on any player addressing a press conference during a match if he has given some outstanding performance. The media is free to ask him as many questions as they want. But for individual interviews it is the concerned player's own individual decision."

Inzi further said: "Unfortunately, what our players have failed to realise is that Pakistan's commercial and media market is nowhere near as big as that in India when it comes to cricket. So while the Indian players are sailing in a separate boat our players don't even fit into that boat."