The Max60 Caribbean, a T10 competition in the Cayman Islands, had multiple matches cancelled after players reportedly boycotted over non-payment of wages.
Max60: Matches suspended over players' non-payment
The second season of the tournament, being held in George Town, the capital of Cayman Islands, had all five matches scheduled for July 22 suspended, as players reportedly backed out, having not received their wages.
Despite Tuesday being the deadline for full payment, most players did not receive their fees, with others reportedly receiving only 20 to 30 per cent of the decided amount.
As per sources quoted by a CricExecreport, senior players were supposed to be paid half their fees a month ahead of the tournament's start. The remaining 50 per cent was supposed to be paid on July 22, a week into the tournament.
According to the report, only a few senior players received the first half of their wages by the full-payments deadline. Most of them received only 10-25 per cent, with others receiving none at all.
The players reportedly continued to participate with the assurance that payments would be made in due course.
Final day scrapped, runner-up playoff match to be held
As per the original schedule, the final day was supposed to be July 24. A total of 30 matches were scheduled to be played,
However, after five matches were cancelled due to "off field issues" on July 22, an official announcement stated that the final day will be held on July 23, between Caribbean Kings and Vegas Vikings.
According to the latest points table on July 23, the Kings are ranked first, while the Vikings are fourth.
By early Wednesday local time, the post had been deleted, and replaced with another announcement: a runner-up playoff was scheduled to be held between Grand Cayman Falcons (placed fifth) and the Vikings, with a season trophy presentation to follow, all on Wednesday.
On their social media, the comments section was populated with fans asking for clarity, with matches abandoned without any prior communication.
The tournament, which was supposed to begin on July 16, was postponed by a day, despite the toss taking place for the opening fixture. While no official clarification followed, the Max60 Instagram account posted hours later: "Due to technical difficulties, today's matches have been cancelled and will be rescheduled. We will share the updated fixture with you shortly.
"Thank you for your understanding and continued support".
The tournament features prominent international names like David Warner, Thisara Perera, Dawid Malan and Shakib Al Hasan, among others. Former India internationals Rishi Dhawan and Shahbaz Nadeem are also participating. The television rights for the tournament were distributed among high-profile broadcasters across the world.
This is the second season of the competition, with Warner, along with other well-known names like Alex Hales, Chris Lynn and Sikandar Raza having participated in the first edition.
Also read – Max60 2025: Full list of India players in each squad
The CricExec report further states that BMP Sports Event, a consultancy and investment management firm and the tournament organiser, had been notified multiple times about the breach in payment. They were also warned of legal action.
With no solution in sight, the players decided to withdraw, leading to cancellation of matches.
WCA: 'Unreasonable to expect players to turn up'
Tom Moffat, the CEO of World Cricketers' Association (WCA), was quoted as saying: “It’s disappointing to hear that players still haven’t been paid what they’re owed under their contracts. Players have fulfilled their commitments in good faith the whole way along, but it’s unreasonable for anyone to expect them to continue to turn up and put on the show if the terms of their contracts have flagrantly been breached.”
“This isn’t an isolated or new issue. It’s another example of an officially sanctioned cricket event treating player contracts like worthless pieces of paper.
"There are simple solutions to these issues, and the game’s global leadership and regulations should protect the whole sport, and people within it.”
As per the WCA website, Cricket Cayman Islands, an ICC Associate Member, approved the league in the first edition, with ICC approval not required "due to <5 full member overseas players involved".
Image credits: Max60 on X (Twitter)
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