Cricket: Regions want say in recommendations

Criticise revamping of domestic cricket without their input.

KARACHI: Responding to a proposal formulated by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) task team to revamp domestic cricket’s structure, the regional associations have demanded a say in the matter before the suggestions are approved by chairman Zaka Ashraf.

The PCB task team, formed to address issues faced by domestic cricket, includes Intikhab Alam, Zakir Khan and Javed Miandad among other former players. However, the Lahore City Cricket Association President Khawja Nadeem said input from regional heads was crucial and the decision to finalise these plans without their consent was shocking.

“Association officials are the ones who make a difference to domestic cricket,” Nadeem told The Express Tribune. “They should be heard before the plan is implemented.”

Among major suggestions is holding separate T20 events for domestic and regional teams besides a recommendation that the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy, Pakistan’s premier first-class tournament, should consist of two groups — one consisting of departments while the other comprising regions.

‘Division won’t benefit anyone’

However, the recommendations, proposed to increase the level of competition among domestic sides, has been criticised by heads of regional associations.

“When top players represent departmental sides, it gives us a chance to field new talent as well and that’s how stars are born,” said Rawalpindi Cricket Association head Naeem Gillani. “When youngsters get to play against departments they learn a lot. Those who want to change this system should come out of their offices and visit the grounds to see what’s going on.”

Karachi City Cricket Association President Sirajul Islam Bukhari also echoed the same sentiment.

“Our role should be most important because we’ve been running cricket for years, while the former players do not run a single club,” he said.

When Alam was contacted over the issue, he ruled out taking input from the heads but confirmed that the committee had drafted the proposal after deliberation.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 21^st, 2012.