PCB's radical proposals to reform domestic cricket...

[MenInG]

Below is an article by Haroon Rasheed who is Director cricket operations

Introduction to Draft System/Player Selection Process for Quaid Trophy

Keeping in view the existing format which includes eight departmental and eight regional teams in the First-class set-up we have proposed meritocracy in selection through a player selection process since there were complaints that the regional teams were weak and hardly competed with the stronger departmental sides.

Grade two players who are playing for departments or regions can be shortlisted by national selectors and each region’s own selection committee can chose 12 players from the pool announced by selectors while eight players belonging to the region can be chosen based on the performances in the Inter-District tournaments.

This system will enable a total of 320 top-ranked players to compete at the first class level.

Domestic meeting

Contracts for Domestic Players

The idea is to give the pool of 20 players in each team a one-year contract that will enable the PCB to work closely with them, monitor their progress while the coaching staff can also work on improving their game and fitness throughout the year.

This example is followed by leading teams as well as our own departmental sides. This way we can produce a strong second string that can replace the national players in a state of readiness.

From now on we have proposed induction of U-19 players in the First-class system which wasn’t the case until last domestic season. We want to concentrate on the development of young players and we might even set a quota for U19 players in each team to ensure that the youngsters rub shoulders with the experienced lot which will help in developing their game.

Pitches and Balls

We have earmarked 12 venues across the country where we will uplift facilities including the state of the pitches besides the dressing rooms. During our survey we figured out that the most of the pitches had lost their sting due to a lack of compaction.

The pitches had turned docile since the surfaces had extra clay content which makes the track lose bounce and bite especially the Karachi and Lahore pitches where the clay content was 14 and 11 inches respectively, while the required clay content on the top of the pitch is around 6-7 inches. We want to ensure that we have standardized pitches across the 12 venues.

Similarly, there have been concerns about the balls used in domestic cricket and how they were making the bats break, for this season we have proposed duke balls that can also help us prepare for upcoming Test matches especially the tour of England.

U-19 Tournament for Regional Players

We will pick 75 U-19 players from all across the country based on their performances at the junior level; the idea is to produce some young and exciting talent for the shortest format which can eventually graduate to serve the national team at the international level as well as the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Financial Incentives

We are looking at giving out yearlong contracts to the players which will improve their financial situation while we will also keep an account of their fitness, the players would need to work hard on their game and fitness to ensure that they retain the contracts.

The players will get a salary in the range of Rs 100-125,000 which should be enough for the player to sustain his expenses while concentrating on the game.


http://www.pcb.com.pk/blog-detail/domestic-cricket-reforms.html#

 

[DRsohail]

[MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] what do u think..some peoposals are very good like pitches,financial incentives.u19 player quota and tournament,but dont know that draft system is right or worng??u stated somewhere that it is fruitful??

 

[Fahdi]

The initiative to improve the quality of pitches has been long over due in my opinion.

I don't agree with the draft system though. This will not help the regions produce their own cricketers nor will it push them to compete with the departments. We have basically given them an easy way out by allowing them to simply pick the best players even though they had nothing to do with their development.

 

[kingusama92]

Overall, these are positive suggestions.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Good to hear about the contracts for the domestic Players and the new pitches,as well as the Duke Balls.

But the draft system is ridiculous and will only promote nepotism.Instead what the PCB should have done is made a department sponsor a regional side.Could have had up to 10 teams that way with the best available players.

 

[saeed5646]

It’s good for the future of pakistan team, hopefully it continues

 

[Fantasy]

Some of the suggestions here are very encouraging vis a vis contract to the domestic players, relaying the pitches,balls being used.

I am sciptical about all these changes,though.I will have to wait till some of the things are executed fully.All this talk is really good but I will wait and see till it is done.

About the pitches
The quality of the pitches in the domestic cricket had regressed a lot over the years and this change was THE most important thing to be done in domestic cricket.The work has already begun in NSK and they are doing work there.However,there are few things which I would like to share.

Firstly,I am not sure about the technical nous of all the prople involved in this.I think they should've got a qualified curator or two to prepare the surfaces.They might have gone that route but I am not aware of that.I think curator(s) wpuld've taught the local groundsman from the scratch and would've made the pitches with absolute distinction.

Secondly,I am sceptical about the progress in this regard.They will surely do this in Gadaffi and NSK for the PSL matches to be played there but I am not sure about other grounds.They might take an eternity to complete it.

Balls being used
I've heard that they are using the duke balls for just this season because of the England tour which again shows that they are looking at this with a myopic eye.No long term planning in this regard.

Ideally what they should do is to strike a deal with a company to produce cricket balls for them which can be used both at domestic as well as international matches.There are enough resources in Pakistan to produce good quality balls like in Sialkot.PCB should regulate the seam and the quality of the ball and once they are sure about the quality of the balls they should get those balls to be used in international matches.

Now if that doesn't materialize for some reason and they think dukes and kookaburra balls are expensive they can atleast use SG balls.I think SG balls are extremely underrated.They have a very good seam and last for quite a bit and most importantly they have been tried and tested and have been excellent so far.

Contracts re domestic players
This is a welcome move from PCB.This should have been done long ago but better late than never.This gives players financial security and they don't have to worry about anything other than playing cricket and feed their families.The way Adnan Akmal was literally begging on a show to give him a contract or take him in the team you have to feel for such players because at the end of the day they don't make enough in domestics to just concentrate on cricket.

Some things which I don't understand though is,is this contract being given to players by PCB or by regional bodies? Is this 1-1.25 lakh per month or for certain period?

Draft system
I think this is the only negative to come out of these suggestions.The fact that players will be picked by a draft tells you that there is no guarantee that there won't be nepotism.

We all saw in Pakistan Cup how Arsal Sheikh was picked ahead of Shadab Khan in the draft when Shadab was head and shoulders ahead.Intreatingly,when some people tried to talk about it PCB then allowed teams to pick an extra player to accomodate their GUY and only then Shadab was picked.In the tournament Shadab was picked for first 3 games when Misbah was captain and performed really well(MOM in his very 1st game) but then when Misbah went away from that team Arsal was drafted in the team.

So,the whole argument that this is being done in order to curb nepotism and favouritism goes to the bin and in fact there will be a huge scope for these things to happen.

It also will make sure that the regions won't be doing their grassroot work properly.They will find an easy route to draft a player without breaking a sweat.So,the important thing,that should've been the case,that regions will be the feeders to the higher cricket won't work properly.

 

[mak36]

On the whole, some good moves. Good to see the PCB is aware the public is increasingly taking an interest and will hold it to account for its decisions. Slowly but surely things are improving.

 

[Markhor]

Good to hear about the contracts for the domestic Players and the new pitches,as well as the Duke Balls.

But the draft system is ridiculous and will only promote nepotism.Instead what the PCB should have done is made a department sponsor a regional side.Could have had up to 10 teams that way with the best available players.

Haroon Rasheed literally proposed that in 2014 but it seems that plan has been dropped. I criticise Rasheed a lot but that was a plan worth pursuing.

In the 2014 plan, the departments would sponsor the regions and would have a seat on the executive council of those new entities.

The departments vs regions issue has dragged on for too long. Its a bizarre spectacle when you see cricket matches between banks and airlines - it does nothing to generate interest from locals.

As for the pitches and balls - I hope they deliver as too many false promises has been made on this front.

 

[MMHS]

[MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] what do u think..some peoposals are very good like pitches,financial incentives.u19 player quota and tournament,but dont know that draft system is right or worng??u stated somewhere that it is fruitful??

Some great initiatives indeed. The issue of ball, wicket & financial security are excellent choices.

Didn't like the idea of draft system, because they are not accumulating talent, rather just expanding the base with 300+ players, which again makes the standard low. Ideally, there should be two brackets to ensure that top 120 players are competing against each other's. And, this can't be done by division 1 & 2, because there could be many inferior quality players playing in top division just for being part of a stronger team & opposite is true as well. This is one main reason, after splitting English County in 2 division, actually it didn't help much. In football, it works perfectly because of the transfer system (I.e. Any outstanding player in lower division will be bought by clubs in higher division within a year, even 6 months).

I would have liked to see 2 separate tournament simultaneously - for Corporates & for Regionals. Any of the two can be higher in hierarchy, but the idea is same - at least 90 of top 100 players are clubbed in one competition. Now, they have indulged Patrons Trophy players as well in the mix, which unfortunately will result similar to English County - that's lots of decent to good quality cricketers, but not many in the highest level.

I always believe AUS (& previously WI) produced the best cricketers & the toughest cricketers because of that highest pyramid in their system - 6/7 teams filtering top 100 players of the country (or region in case of WI), and they are always chased by the next bunch from behind. I am afraid, PCB will change this model in a year or two - I don't see much difference in this method from what was before, which again will produce players with astronomical domestic stats, but poor once taken to International stage. This is exactly what's happening in English team with the likes of Balance or Jennings.

Taking U19 players to FC matches (not sure how, probably through some quota - but need to make sure that kids are actually playing, not carrying drinks) is another great initiative. In football, we see English age level teams do very well, but they don't develop after 19-21, because hardly any English young player get match time in EPL, whereas in France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Brazil or Argentina ... most of their U20 players are actually starter at top division clubs, even before making the U20 national teams. Youngsters must have to be given proper match & adequate roles - otherwise nothing changes much, if specialist U19 batsman is slotted at 8 & specialist bowler is given 5 overs in a FC innings.

Finally the Wicket - which I take with a pinch of salt. Last PAK home series was against SRL in 2009. Before that series, one of PCBs stalwarts for 6 decades (won't name, there are few who had been in PAK cricket since 1950s/60s), threatened with fast & bouncy wickets - then, the 1.5 Tests that took place, produced scores like 650/6, 765/5, 145/5; 644, 115/0 ...... before that IND came in 2005-6 for a series & the 1st Test at Lahore was expected to be played on a flyer so that Shoaib can blow Indian top order before they settle in. Idea was perfect - at execution, Lahore Test produced scores of 678/6 & 420/1 ..... Chairman PCB (this same gentleman now), explained that perfectly - because of cold weather & mostly condition, groundsmen couldn't prepare witcket and it became flat (I mean, over prepared).

This one is a great initiative - at least the sense has prevailed that some changes needed there on wickets; but I would wait to see the changes first before getting excited. Personally, I don't feel there is enough domestic expertise in this regard - farmers plowing with bull can't drive tractors over night. But, at least there is some ugrency in this regard, which is great - previously, I heard PCB people & their paid commis praising wickets that produced 300 & 150 scores in same List A match, played between 2 equal sides. That 14 inch & 6/7 inch story is known by even novices like me (you can check my posts from 2/3 years back) - so, no credit for that.

Only major issue now left is duration of FC matches - these 250 overs (basically 4 innings of a List A match) FC matches in October to January period doesn't excite me much - lots of the great initiatives will be wiped out by this one - for example ball. What's the point of using highest quality balls, if innings is finished within 60 overs!!! On contrary, you can't develop players if majority FC matches produces scores like 300/3d (80), 303/4d (80), 233/5 (75), 55/1 (15) .... there is a critical mass required for a 4 innings match - and that's close to 400 overs, if not 420+, played on a good batting surface that allows batsmen to bat for 8-9 hours, bowlers to bowl 40+ overs in a match & spinners to use the 4th innings wicket that's 300+ overs old. Otherwise, players will be left to learn game in nets & academies.

But, at least they have started to think that changes are needed - may not be at first go, but eventually I am sure things'll get better. It can't be worse than what's there now.

 

[Sherlock]

Just "suggestions" though. Nothing is a given with the PCB until it's actually done.

 

[Savak]

Good to hear about the contracts for the domestic Players and the new pitches,as well as the Duke Balls.

But the draft system is ridiculous and will only promote nepotism.Instead what the PCB should have done is made a department sponsor a regional side.Could have had up to 10 teams that way with the best available players.

Can't force departments to sponsor a regional team at gun point. It is not that easy, an investor needs to be convinced of the returns for him to bring any money to the table.

 

[Savak]

The idea behind the draft system was to take the problem out of the selectors hands and to give authority to the captain and coach.

 

[Fantasy]

Can't force departments to sponsor a regional team at gun point. It is not that easy, an investor needs to be convinced of the returns for him to bring any money to the table.

There is always some negativity around any model which needs to be implemented.We saw that with PSL with posters here completely writing it off because it will be based outside Pakistan.So much scepticism around here was infectious but we saw the end result and it is only going to go upwards.

As far your point about convincing departmental teams,it can be done.There needs to be a complete future plan as what needs to be done in "long term".This,here,is very important.You might argue as to how it is going to generate enough revenue for any region to be an autonomous body and how it can survive but if you have a perfect set of ideas and importantly you have a team to work on them,you can pull it off.You have to make sure that there needs to be clearity as to what you wanna achieve with regards to this model and once you work towards it sincerely,trust me,it can be done.

Regional team with the collaboration with departmentis a fantastic idea.They will work with regions and they will get their share and when you will have quality cricket going around,with proper marketing you can attract the sponsors very easily.And there is no scarcity of the passion and involvement of the general public in Pakistan which have limited sources of entertainment and cricket being the biggest one.

You might not generate enough money, infact you might inflict some losses on you with implementing this model in the initial stages but with 3-4 years time you will see the graph only going upwards for domestic cricket.Will be a huge hit,that is an assurity.

 

[khanz141]

As long as leeches like Haroon Rasheed continue to run the board, nothing will change.

This same committee made the last proposals and the ones before that, and no good results... same people, free loading money and pretending like they are working

 

[Bewal Express]

Maximum of 8 teams in the premier league, each with the squad of 15. All players to be contracted and At least 3 of the players have to be U21. All matches to be played in Karachi/ Sindh from late Nov to end of Jan.

 

[MMHS]

Maximum of 8 teams in the premier league, each with the squad of 15. All players to be contracted and At least 3 of the players have to be U21. All matches to be played in Karachi/ Sindh from late Nov to end of Jan.

You want Lahore vs Rawalpindi at NSK, with 22 players, 3 umpires, 2 scorers, match referee, few ball boys, journalists and around a thousand crow, few dogs & may be few pigeon clapping Amir bowling to Babar?

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

Pitch quality and balls have been talked about for 4 years now.Still waiting for action.

 

[Bewal Express]

You want Lahore vs Rawalpindi at NSK, with 22 players, 3 umpires, 2 scorers, match referee, few ball boys, journalists and around a thousand crow, few dogs & may be few pigeon clapping Amir bowling to Babar?

As opposed to the 000's that watch now.