The Pakistan Cricket Board is seriously considering ending the decades old structure
of commercial departments and banks participating in its domestic cricket competition.
PCB officials confirmed that serious consideration was being given to relegating
departments and banks to only playing the non-first class grade-two competitions
in domestic cricket.
"Yes such a proposal is under consideration because there is a strong
argument that new talent is not emerging in Pakistan because instead
of regional and grass root cricket, departmental cricket has dominated the domestic
structure in the last few decades," one official said.
Former captain Imran Khan has been one of the most vocal supporters
of this radical change.
Imran has been a vocal opponent of departments and banks being
allowed to play in the domestic cricket season with other former players also
backing his arguments.
The irony is that Imran and many of the stars of recent years
are all byproducts of departmental cricket.
The role of departments and banks for long has been a raging
debate in Pakistan cricket but everytime this issue has come up, the board has
always backed off at the last moment.
"But this time Dr Ashraf is serious and wants to see positive
changes in our domestic cricket. There is no bluffing this time," one board
official said.
Departments and banks have been an integral part of Pakistan
cricket since the 1960's and have provided employment to hundreds of established
and young players
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