More decisions: First-class teams reduced to 16

KARACHI: The PCB’s governing board has decided that for the upcoming domestic season, there will be only 16 teams in first-class cricket instead of 26.

The main season will begin in October with eight departments and eight regions in first-class cricket, while all other competitions will be non first-class events.

The top six departments and six regions — according to their standings in the last season — will automatically qualify for the first-class event, while the remaining two teams will be decided after qualifiers between rest of the departments and regions, which will be played in August-September.

“We want to give a chance of qualification to everyone for the first-class season so that they can’t complain that they were not given proper opportunity and were forcefully relegated,” explained the official.

“Another important step is the decision of bringing in sponsors for regions as it will improve financial muscle and strengthen regions. The two steps will certainly improve the quality of our domestic cricket.”

Moreover, the sponsors of the regions would be allowed to buy four players of their choice from all over Pakistan, may it be from the departments or regions. But for this they will have to splash in extra money and agree personal terms with the players.

This football like transfer activity will improve the cash flow, competitiveness and the desire to improve squads. It will ultimately benefit players in the domestic cricket as their financial condition will improve.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 14^th, 2015.

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