POTW: Markhor

[MenInG]

Been a while since we last did a POTW but the upcoming resumption of Pakistan's WTC campaign and this excellent post on why FC cricket needs an extra dose of attention by @Markhor provides us a good excuse to resume service on POTWs!

Congratulations!

All in favour of our cricketers playing more FC cricket. Pakistani FC cricketers are idle for 8 months between the end of the President's Trophy (Feb) and the start of QEA Trophy (Oct) unless they bag a league contract in England or play for the Shaheens.

Champions Cup is the old Pentangular Trophy under a new name so it's not a radical change. However I've a few concerns/suggestions:

1) Three FC competitions are overkill. Ditch the departments and move Quaid-e-Azam Trophy to a double round robin format so each team plays 14 matches. The Champions Cup should feature the best QEA performers alongside our Test players to ensure a high quality competition.

2) Pitches will be seriously worn out without a proper ground rotation policy. We are already without Lahore due to refurbishment while Rawalpindi, Karachi and Multan will host Tests. PCB must enquire about the readiness of smaller venues like Sialkot, Gujranwala, Sheikhupura, Bahawalpur, Hyderabad, Quetta etc.

3) Costs. This new structure will send costs skyrocketing with more expenditure on travel, hotels, groundstaff and officials. Naqvi said they'll find owners for Champions Cup teams to share the burden, but PCB have tried for decades to find sponsors for FC teams with limited success.

PCB's constant domestic revamps and executive changes means there's little appetite from investors and broadcasters. We saw how PCB footed the entire bill for PJL.

4) Coaches. Please hire some overseas coaches otherwise this is old wine in a new bottle. Pakistani coaches barring some exceptions have driven our cricket into the ground with outdated methods, favouritism and ineptitude.

5) Scheduling. Very challenging to play FC cricket between the last week of May and first week of August in Pakistan as proposed unless you want players incinerated in the heat.

Again ditching the departmental events would free up the space required so you could have:

Aug 2024 - National T20 Cup - fun curtain raiser for the domestic season and PSL feeder competition.
Sep 2024 - QEA One Day Cup
Oct 2024 - Champions One Day Cup (featuring best performers of QEA ODC)
Nov-Feb 2025 - Quaid-e-Azam Trophy (double round robin)
Mar-Apr 2025 - 4 Day Champions Cup (featuring best performers of QEA Trophy)
Apr-May 2025 - Pakistan Super League to finish the domestic season

June and July can be reserved for A tours, overseas leagues, or rest.

PCB have the right idea, but the planning seems rushed.

https://ppforum.pakpassion.net/thre...-dont-know-mohsin-naqvi.314722/#post-12256213

 

[sweep_shot]

Congratulations.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

@Markhor knows more about domestic cricket than most PCB personnel.

 

[Rana]

Great poster

 

[Nasty Naz]

One of the few great posters here. Good stuff from him as usual.

 

[ElRaja]

look forward to @Markhor posting, wish he was more active in time pass

 

[mominsaigol]

@Markhor Congrats. Always love reading your posts.

 

[ExpressPacer]

Sorry but more cricket is not the answer — it’s better cricket. We need better pitches, better coaches and more science.