What's new

PCB announce details of Six Cricket Association squads for the 2020-21 domestic season

MenInG

PakPassion Administrator
Staff member
Joined
Oct 2, 2004
Runs
218,001
Six Cricket Association squads confirmed

• Captains and final lineups to be announced closer to events proper, which include National T20 Cup, Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and Pakistan Cup One-Day Tournament

• Player categories of domestic contracts to be announced in due course

• 11 members of ICC U19 World Cup 2020 included in the squads; average ages of the sides are Balochistan 27, Central Punjab 26, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 26, Northern 25, Sindh 25 and Southern Punjab 26

• Six coaches and Director HP – Nadeem Khan, to hold media conference today at Far End, GSL, at 1530; strict Covid-19 protocols will be followed

Lahore, 28 August 2020:

The Pakistan Cricket Board today announced the six Cricket Association squads for the 2020-21 domestic cricket season, which will commence on 30 September with the National T20 Cup. First round of the event will be played in Multan, while the final round will be held in Rawalpindi. Complete season schedule will be announced in due course.

The 12-month contracts will run from 1 August 2020 to 31 July 2021.

The squads were finalised by the six Cricket Association coaches who took into consideration performances of the last two seasons, retained maximum players from the 2019-20 season without reshuffling the squads too much and, where possible, provided opportunities to the centrally and emerging contracted players to represent their Cricket Associations.

This has been done to ensure sense of ownership and pride amongst the players representing their Cricket Associations, which, in turn, will further enhance the involvement of the fans and cricket followers, and provide more balance to the six sides to make the forthcoming season more competitive than 2019-20.

As such, the selectors have retained 158 players who were offered 2019-20 domestic contracts and have included 34 new players, including some who represented Pakistan in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2020.

Each Cricket Association squad will comprise 45 players – 32 players with domestic contracts, supported by 13 additional players – and the PCB centrally and emerging contracted cricketers, belonging to their respective regions.

The coaches will finalise the playing lineups for the events proper (National T20 Cup, Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and Pakistan Cup One-day Tournament) in due course following discussions with captains and vice-captains, who will also be confirmed at that stage.

Players with the seasonal contracts will be eligible to receive match fee, daily allowances and other related benefits, wherever applicable.

The six head coaches have also finalised their squads with the vision of nurturing up and coming cricketers.

In this relation, 11 teenagers who participated in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup earlier this year, have been selected.

They are Abdul Wahid Bangalzai (Balochistan); Irfan Khan Niazi, Qasim Akram and Fahad Munir (all three Central Punjab); Mohammad Wasim jnr, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Amir Khan and Mohammad Abbas Afridi (all four Khyber Pakhtunkhwa); Mohammad Huraira (Northern) and Aamir Ali and Arish Ali Khan (Sindh).

The coaches, who are also members of the national selection committee, have also followed the PCB’s policy of investing in the future as average age of the Balochistan side is 27, followed by Central Punjab 26, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 26, Northern 25, Sindh 25 and Southern Punjab 26.

Balochistan First XI Head Coach Faisal Iqbal: “The selection of the squads was based on a thorough assessment of the players based on a wide-ranging selection criterion. I want to thank the coaches of the Balochistan second XI and U19 teams along with the first XI assistant coach, who all played a vital role in the selection of this squad. I am confident the Balochistan squad will impress and prove to be a real competitive unit across the three formats. We have given opportunities to the local talent from the province and the performers have been given their due. The squad is well-balanced and full of exciting players.”

Central Punjab First XI Head Coach Shahid Anwar: “We have a big talent pool and some of the biggest names of the domestic game are once again part of the side which has established a legacy by the triumph in last year’s Quaid-e-Azam Trophy first-class tournament. This year we have picked some exciting players including Pakistan U19 performers, who will be groomed with an eye for the future.”

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa First XI Head Coach Abdul Razzaq: “I am fully satisfied with the selection process, which was made on the basis of a comprehensive and an all-encompassing selection criteria. My squad has a great blend of youth and experience and my aim would be to provide them all the support and encouragement they need to play to their best potential. Like the rest of the squads, I also have some exciting players who can be real assets for Pakistan cricket in due course.”

Northern First XI Head Coach Mohammad Wasim: “Northern played some exhilarating cricket last season and we made some innovative plans that brought us success in both the shortest and longest format. I have retained the core of the players who served the squad well and have added young blood with an aim of developing more top quality players who can not only serve us but can also graduate to the highest level of the game.”

Sindh First XI Head Coach Basit Ali: “Sindh squad is a well-rounded one with some of the biggest names of the province, proven domestic performers as well as young players that have an abundance of potential. I look forward to a hugely exciting and competitive domestic season where both our red-ball and white-ball squads can play the kind of cricket that is on modern lines and in sync with the approach of the Pakistan team management.”

Southern Punjab First XI Head Coach Abdul Rehman: “I have focused on building a squad that is full of young and exciting players backed by experienced and proven performers of the domestic arena. My aim is to groom players who can serve Pakistan cricket across formats at the senior level. I feel my squad has the depth and quality to play an attractive brand of cricket with an eye both on success and development of players.”
 
Last edited:
Abid , Azhar Ali, Usman Sallaudin, Salman Butt, Ahmed Shehzad in same team

Perfect way to destroy Abdullah Shafique
 
Well than all those who thought departments would prance back in have now realized Imran Khan was rigid in this Implementation. Good.
 
Abid , Azhar Ali, Usman Sallaudin, Salman Butt, Ahmed Shehzad in same team

Perfect way to destroy Abdullah Shafique

Don’t forget Kamran Akmal. To be honest I’m afraid Shafique won’t get a chance again this year. I hope the coach is more sensible than that and doesn’t play the following XI:

Central Punjab 1st XI
1. Abid Ali
2. Ahmed Shehzad
3. Azhar Ali (c)
4. Babar Azam (vc)
5. Salman Butt
6. Usman Salahuddin
7. Kamran Akmal (wk)
8. Faheem Ashraf
9. Hasan Ali
10. Bilal Asif
11. Naseem Shah

Here’s a much more well-structured XI after Limited Overs Players leave for national duty against Zimbabwe

Central Punjab 1st XI
1. Abid Ali
2. Ahmed Shehzad
3. Abdullah Shafique
4. Azhar Ali (c)
5. Salman Butt
6. Usman Salahuddin
7. Kamran Akmal (wk)
8. Faheem Ashraf
9. Hasan Ali
10. Zafar Gohar
11. Ehsan Adil

Time to see if Shahid Anwar is competent. Salman Butt and Kamran Akmal need to be retired!
 
Abid , Azhar Ali, Usman Sallaudin, Salman Butt, Ahmed Shehzad in same team

Perfect way to destroy Abdullah Shafique

He'll get his gametime when the centrally contracted players leave for international duty.
 
Abid , Azhar Ali, Usman Sallaudin, Salman Butt, Ahmed Shehzad in same team

Perfect way to destroy Abdullah Shafique

They should make a rule that one emerging player should be part of the team or even 2
 
Don’t forget Kamran Akmal. To be honest I’m afraid Shafique won’t get a chance again this year. I hope the coach is more sensible than that and doesn’t play the following XI:

Central Punjab 1st XI
1. Abid Ali
2. Ahmed Shehzad
3. Azhar Ali (c)
4. Babar Azam (vc)
5. Salman Butt
6. Usman Salahuddin
7. Kamran Akmal (wk)
8. Faheem Ashraf
9. Hasan Ali
10. Bilal Asif
11. Naseem Shah

Here’s a much more well-structured XI after Limited Overs Players leave for national duty against Zimbabwe

Central Punjab 1st XI
1. Abid Ali
2. Ahmed Shehzad
3. Abdullah Shafique
4. Azhar Ali (c)
5. Salman Butt
6. Usman Salahuddin
7. Kamran Akmal (wk)
8. Faheem Ashraf
9. Hasan Ali
10. Zafar Gohar
11. Ehsan Adil

Time to see if Shahid Anwar is competent. Salman Butt and Kamran Akmal need to be retired!

Never heard of the coach is he any good ?
 
Just watched the interviews and Shahid Anwar kept talking about reducing the average age and also when comparing last year he thought that they could improve on developing players this year compared to before.

I hope he delivers on this. If it’s the case then he will have been a good replacement for Ijaz Jr. and CP will be seen giving opportunities to Shafique especially.
 
This is why the role of Saqlain is so important. He needs to set these coaches targets to develop young players to fit the overall strategic plan of the national team. But knowing how things work in PK, there will be no communication between Saqlain and the coaches and there def won't be any strategic plan.
 
This is why the role of Saqlain is so important. He needs to set these coaches targets to develop young players to fit the overall strategic plan of the national team. But knowing how things work in PK, there will be no communication between Saqlain and the coaches and there def won't be any strategic plan.

They all work directly under Nadeem Khan who works conjunctly with Saqlain. Saqlain also works with them.

There is a focus on strategic plan and they have all been forced to lower the average age of their squads and focus on player development. There definitely seems to be an overarching vision set by the PCB.
 
Last edited:
They all work directly under Nadeem Khan who works conjunctly with Saqlain. Saqlain also works with them.

There is a focus on strategic plan and they have all been forced to lower the average age of their squads and focus on player development. There definitely seems to be an overarching vision set by the PCB.

It was also mentioned that the panel of coaches will be given short, medium, and long term plans on player development; for example, one directive was to increase bench strength for young spinners in 2 years. You can imagine it to be similar for other types of directives pertaining to, for example, middle order batsmen, fast bowling all rounders, etc.

I am optimistic about the changes coming through though cautious about the likes of Razzaq and Faisal Iqbal.
 
Can the PCB financially support so many players giving them a sufficient monthly salary, match fees and other expenses? In order for this model to succeed, they must get sponsors on board.
 
They all work directly under Nadeem Khan who works conjunctly with Saqlain. Saqlain also works with them.

There is a focus on strategic plan and they have all been forced to lower the average age of their squads and focus on player development. There definitely seems to be an overarching vision set by the PCB.

We will see very quickly if there is. If I see young Middle order batsmen still in the 2nd teams then you know there is no plan. They should have identified around 15 young players that need to be worked into the teams, I guarantee that won't happen.
 
We will see very quickly if there is. If I see young Middle order batsmen still in the 2nd teams then you know there is no plan. They should have identified around 15 young players that need to be worked into the teams, I guarantee that won't happen.

I have a feeling it just might. Let’s see.
 
One match of each round plus final should be telecasted live on PTV Sports.

With proper marketing and Advertisement, PCB may get few sponsors for this tournament.
 
Why don't the PSL Franchise owners take over these regions for e.g Javed Afridi KPK, Nadeem Omar Balochistan e.t.c.

These Franchise Owners should be encouraged to invest their money and be given the authority to dictate how the region is run?
 
Why don't the PSL Franchise owners take over these regions for e.g Javed Afridi KPK, Nadeem Omar Balochistan e.t.c.

These Franchise Owners should be encouraged to invest their money and be given the authority to dictate how the region is run?

Why? It’s better to have a single vision under a central setup than 6 different associations doing different things. Just look at the PSL. How many U19 players are playing? Why aren’t Saud Shakeel or Abdullah Shafique playing?

There’s no silver bullet and it’s essential to groom an effective setup with a singular vision which is what the PCB is trying to do.
 
One match of each round plus final should be telecasted live on PTV Sports.

With proper marketing and Advertisement, PCB may get few sponsors for this tournament.

I think, like last season, they will stream 1 match per round on YouTube. Although I agree, PTV should air at least 1 match per round and Finals. It's better than talk shows and re-runs.
 
Interesting observation

Assistant coach of Multan Sultan is the head coach of South Punjab. Muhammad Illyas, khusdil Shah, Ali Shafiq, and Umer Khan(favourite of Ali Tareen) transfered to South Punjab. Surely Ali Tareen keeping a close eye on South Punjab team selection
 
Why don't the PSL Franchise owners take over these regions for e.g Javed Afridi KPK, Nadeem Omar Balochistan e.t.c.

These Franchise Owners should be encouraged to invest their money and be given the authority to dictate how the region is run?

what benefit would they get? you dont invest money just to lose it.

Why should they be given authority to dictate how the region should be run?
 
Why don't the PSL Franchise owners take over these regions for e.g Javed Afridi KPK, Nadeem Omar Balochistan e.t.c.

These Franchise Owners should be encouraged to invest their money and be given the authority to dictate how the region is run?

This is precisely the reason Imran Khan moves away from the previous set up with business affiliations.

This domestic structure is there to try and encourage loyalty to regions not people or corporations.

Watch out of exile on YouTube with Michael Atheron and Imran Khan where he discusses this.
 
If you look at the squads you can clearly see pcb is in a big mess.

You have tooo many players but limited teams.
Pakistan needs atleast 10-12 teams.
Too much focus being put on australia system but not knowing our own situation.

England has more than 10 teams in domestic.

Our population is huge, and we have a huge number of cricketers aswell.
 
If you look at the squads you can clearly see pcb is in a big mess.

You have tooo many players but limited teams.
Pakistan needs atleast 10-12 teams.
Too much focus being put on australia system but not knowing our own situation.

England has more than 10 teams in domestic.

Our population is huge, and we have a huge number of cricketers aswell.

I can’t see it, not clear to me. Why don’t you point out what’s so clearly messy please?

Do you even know the name of a single person who has been at the butt end of na insafi? Who is not part of these 6 squads that should be there? Just a single person?

The way I see it, stats in this tournament will actually tell us a story on who is good or bad now, and players who rise above the rest in difficult competition will learn and develop more. So yes, what’s so clear about this mess?
 
I can’t see it, not clear to me. Why don’t you point out what’s so clearly messy please?

Do you even know the name of a single person who has been at the butt end of na insafi? Who is not part of these 6 squads that should be there? Just a single person?

The way I see it, stats in this tournament will actually tell us a story on who is good or bad now, and players who rise above the rest in difficult competition will learn and develop more. So yes, what’s so clear about this mess?

I have played club crixket and i can give you list of names that had to face na insafi.

There is no rise or competation here. Thats just a theory.
Abid ali was never good enoguh player to play for main lahore team he played for the other lahore team yet he made it to pakistan team.

There are players that wont get domestic games because the other players wil be occupying limited spots.

Stop defending this just cause imran came up with it. I dont mind regional teams but atleast have 10 teams to cater to the amount of players we have got
 
If you look at the squads you can clearly see pcb is in a big mess.

You have tooo many players but limited teams.
Pakistan needs atleast 10-12 teams.
Too much focus being put on australia system but not knowing our own situation.

England has more than 10 teams in domestic.

Our population is huge, and we have a huge number of cricketers aswell.

Squads are enlarged this year due to COVID. These aren't the normal squad sizes.
 
I have played club crixket and i can give you list of names that had to face na insafi.

Go ahead - the truth is, none of them are cut out for first XI cricket in First Class, no matter how much we wish they were. If they are really better than Abid Ali, then why didn’t they average 60 before the structure was revamped and they lost a place in the 12-team system (first and second XI combined).

Yes, I agree that these cricketers out of a job need the platform to continue playing cricket but unfortunately that platform is not the highest level of cricket in the country from where national selection is done. They are simply not good enough.

Departments should host their own tournament outside of the First Class structure and top performers from there can earn central domestic contracts.
 
There is no rise or competation here. Thats just a theory.

You’re trolling, right? If you select the top 30*6=180 players out of 1000, then it is more competitive for someone to play in that pool of 180 than it is for those same people to play in a pool of 1000 where the remaining 820 are not as good at the top 180.

In fact, even in the top 180, there is a daylight’s worth of difference between the top 30 and the bottom 150.
 
Squads are enlarged this year due to COVID. These aren't the normal squad sizes.

and had there been no covid, this would had meant alot of guys would had missed out.

More teams are needed here, having 6 teams doesn't cater to the population of cricketers we have got.
 
You’re trolling, right? If you select the top 30*6=180 players out of 1000, then it is more competitive for someone to play in that pool of 180 than it is for those same people to play in a pool of 1000 where the remaining 820 are not as good at the top 180.

In fact, even in the top 180, there is a daylight’s worth of difference between the top 30 and the bottom 150.

thats just a theory and assumption.

We have soo many players that Balochistan is being used as a dumping ground where rest of Pakistan plays.

We assume that the best of the best will play but that doesnt happen.

Everyone has his personal likes, biasness.

I dont know if club votes determine your place in board of directors, but in the past the regional head would infleunce selection of players from a certain club to gain its vote. In Pindi, there were clubs that were registered under 3 names, thus they had three votes

Mohammad Waseem operates his own academy, so it makes you think whether he will play his own kids.
 
Go ahead - the truth is, none of them are cut out for first XI cricket in First Class, no matter how much we wish they were. If they are really better than Abid Ali, then why didn’t they average 60 before the structure was revamped and they lost a place in the 12-team system (first and second XI combined).

Yes, I agree that these cricketers out of a job need the platform to continue playing cricket but unfortunately that platform is not the highest level of cricket in the country from where national selection is done. They are simply not good enough.

Departments should host their own tournament outside of the First Class structure and top performers from there can earn central domestic contracts.

we dont need departments, we need more teams.
 
and had there been no covid, this would had meant alot of guys would had missed out.

More teams are needed here, having 6 teams doesn't cater to the population of cricketers we have got.

You do realise these squads are for both 1st and 2nd XI leagues ?

Yes there's six teams with First Class status, but there's also six additional teams playing Second XI cricket.

And if these fringe players prove to be any good - they can be promoted to the First XI, especially when the Pakistani internationals leave for duty.
 
You’re trolling, right? If you select the top 30*6=180 players out of 1000, then it is more competitive for someone to play in that pool of 180 than it is for those same people to play in a pool of 1000 where the remaining 820 are not as good at the top 180.

In fact, even in the top 180, there is a daylight’s worth of difference between the top 30 and the bottom 150.

Pretty much every player whose interview I have seen says that the new system has resulted in better quality and more competitive cricket.
 
I think 6 teams are good

The players who are not good enough will get fount wanting and the players who perform will get contracts and can be moved from second xI to first XI.

Yes thier will be a few players who are in the squads due to family relationships but hopefully they will get found wanting
 
Interesting observation

Assistant coach of Multan Sultan is the head coach of South Punjab. Muhammad Illyas, khusdil Shah, Ali Shafiq, and Umer Khan(favourite of Ali Tareen) transfered to South Punjab. Surely Ali Tareen keeping a close eye on South Punjab team selection

Good observation.
 
Back
Top