PCB plans corporate-sponsored regions

Country’s governing board strategy proposes monetary benefit for players.


Nabil Tahir May 14, 2014
The Express Tribune has learnt that the PCB is now thinking over a new formula according to which, the corporate sector is going to sponsor regional teams. PHOTO: FILE

KARACHI:


The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) plans to request the corporate sector to head regional teams in one of the major changes planned for the next domestic season in order to make domestic cricket stronger and more transparent.


The last first-class season had two tournaments, President’s Trophy which was contested by departments, while regional teams featured in Quaid-i-Azam Trophy.

Both events were held simultaneously and unlike the past, the regional teams did not have any departmental players in their ranks.

The Express Tribune has learnt that the PCB is now thinking over a new formula according to which, the corporate sector is going to sponsor regional teams. They will take over the sponsorship and management of the regional teams.

The board feels that this formula will improve the game’s standards and it will also bring more money for players besides ensuring genuine selections.

As reported earlier, the PCB presented a plan according to which departments were asked to head the regional teams but they were largely in favour of involving more players from their side and less from the regions, which resulted in a deadlock.

The key members of the PCB Management Committee had a difference of opinion on the change, especially important figures such as Zaheer Abbas and Iqbal Qasim.

Both former cricketers believed that departmental cricket must be allowed to flourish independently and mixing it with regions would only create problems that will affect domestic cricket in Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 15th, 2014.

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