New season, new balls, same old issues

Domestic cricket season gets underway across the country today.

KARACHI: Pakistan’s domestic season 2013-14 will get underway today in various cities of the country with the President’s Trophy and the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy being played simultaneously.

SNGPL will be looking to defend their President’s Trophy and President’s Cup titles in the departmental competition, while Karachi Blues start as the reigning champions in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy to be played among regions.

The two-decade old format has been revived for this season as both first-class (four-day) and one-day tournaments will be staged together unlike the previous seasons where both were held at different times of the year.

No more Kookaburra balls

Kookaburra balls have been replaced this season by the locally manufactured Gray’s as the departments felt they were too costly.

The Australian ball used widely at the international stage is priced at around Rs10,000 while the Gray’s costs Rs2500 at most.

There were lot of complains about the Kookaburra last season as the ball failed to survive its natural duration in local conditions where wear and tear is a lot more than around the world. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) then decided against carrying on with the Kookaburra after those complaints.

Basit laments change of format

SNGPL coach and former Pakistan Test batsman Basit Ali has said that the change of format is ‘beyond understanding’.

“It’s beyond my understanding as for how much long we’ll continue to change our domestic format,” Basit told The Express Tribune.

“Systems don’t evolve like this because if the PCB wanted to make a change, it should have continued with the format for three or four year to understand the pros and cons. But the irony is that we have a new format every year and we don’t stick to one thing which has made us a laughing stock.”

He added that policies are being made haphazardly by the PCB.

“It suggests that those who are making policies at the PCB don’t think about the consequences and amend things for the sake of amendments. This season will be really tricky because they haven’t only changed the ball but the format as well,” he stated.

“In the four-day matches, the red ball will be used whereas few days later players will have to play one-day matches with two white balls which will be really tricky because white ball moves more.”

Meanwhile, SNGPL will go in to the event without much gas in the tank as their star players Misbahul Haq and Mohammad Hafeez will be on national duty. However, Basit felt that the available players can raise their game.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 23^rd, 2013.

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