Should Pakistan Government restore departmental cricket?

[MenInG]

Seems PM Shehbaz Sharif has made a decision but is it the right one?

==

ISLAMABAD: The newly formed coalition government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has decided to restore the departmental cricket structure, which has been dysfunctional as a result of the implementation of the 2019 constitution, ARY News reported on Monday citing sources.

The departmental cricket was banished in 2019 under the then patron-in-chief of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Imran Khan, leaving thousands of players and officials jobless.

Sources privy to the development told ARY News that the new government has also decided to restore first-class cricketers fired from government departments under Mani’s tenure as a result of new PCB constitution.

It is pertinent to mention here that departmental cricket, which has played a pivotal role in the promotion of the sports in the country for last 45 years, was ended with former prime minister Imran Khan’s approval in 2019.

According to the new domestic structure, only six teams eligible to play the First Class Cricket in the country, two from Punjab and one each from Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces and the federal territory.

On the other hand, reports are circulating regarding the resignation of the current chairman of the PCB – Ramiz Raja, who was nominated by the ex-PM Imran Khan. Reports further suggest that former PCB Chairman Najam Sethi is a strong candidate for the position.

ARY

 

[Markhor]

How do they plan on achieving that under the new constitution ? How will they encourage the departments to reopen their cricket divisions in this economic climate ?

It won't be easy to put the genie back in the bottle.

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

This should qualify as political interference.

 

[Babeikh]

Disaster if this is true.

 

[MenInG]

 

[Nasty Naz]

Why does the government have any say in this to begin with?

 

[Hasan]

Salman concerned about the future financial stability of young cricketers. I think that should be death of this thread!

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

No it produces too many journeymen. Need concentrated good quality cricket.

 

[MenInG]

Here's too Tabish Khan for the next 20 years....

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Dept cricket is not the answer but we should have more first class teams. 6 is insufficient for a country of Pakistans size, and potential talent pool.

 

[Major]

This is why I say, its important to fix the constitution first rather than revamping domestic cricket, making pitches and all.

A constitution once established with no loop holes, it allows you to bring in policies for the long run.

Imran bought 6 teams first class, shebaz will bring department back and if by chance Imran wins the next election we will have 6 first class system back.......

This is the fault of Ehsan Mani/Waseem Khan. They should had made sure that the constitution was strict with its laws, especially when it comes to the electing the chairman.

Anyways, Pakistan cricket ka Allah he malek hai.

 

[hitthestump]

This decision has absolutely nothing to do with cricket. No sample size has been achieved with the new setup to say it doesn't work.

The reintroduction of departmental cricket this quickly can only be happening for one reason - $$$.

 

[Markhor]

This is why I say, its important to fix the constitution first rather than revamping domestic cricket, making pitches and all.

A constitution once established with no loop holes, it allows you to bring in policies for the long run.

Imran bought 6 teams first class, shebaz will bring department back and if by chance Imran wins the next election we will have 6 first class system back.......

This is the fault of Ehsan Mani/Waseem Khan. They should had made sure that the constitution was strict with its laws, especially when it comes to the electing the chairman.

Anyways, Pakistan cricket ka Allah he malek hai.

They did change the constitution in 2019 which removed role of departments from FC cricket.

It's always one step forward two steps back with Pakistan. There's an entrenched mafia that never allows change. The moment somebody makes some small progress - their successor comes along and changes everything for sake of ego and spite.

These journos claiming domestic cricket has been ruined didn't give a damn about it pre-2019. They never covered it. The quality of QEA post-2019 has been better than our County Championship in England, and now we want to destroy this too ?

No other SC nation has this departmental system. Very disheartening.

 

[oatmeal]

The main benefit of departmental cricket was said to be that it provided jobs to cricketers so they can make a living playing the sport even if they are not part of top tier cricket.

But why cant the departments just provide jobs to these cricketers (a set quota with strict well defined criteria for getting the job) rather than administering the teams themselves. So PCB still runs the teams and provides advertising to departments in exchange for the departments providing some jobs to active cricketers

 

[Manunited18]

Like imran said "ABSOLUTELY NOT" Departmental cricket is a cash cow for average journey men cricketers. It will be a Hugh step back for Pakistan cricket.

 

[shujaatraza]

Like imran said "ABSOLUTELY NOT" Departmental cricket is a cash cow for average journey men cricketers. It will be a Hugh step back for Pakistan cricket.

I am not in favour of departments but if they come back then it is the responsibility of the departments to ensure they have a competitive team. The journeyman were all in the city teams that were present with the departments

 

[BunnyRabbit]

We need more FC teams. 6 are too low. Better pitches as well.

 

[MenInG]

As per reports:

Sources close to the Sharif family revealed that this assurance came when Sindh Local Government Minister Nasir Hussain Shah requested Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to restore departmental cricket.

Nasir said that thousands of players and officials lost their jobs due to the closure of cricket and other sports departments. With appeals from different quarters floating in, the government is likely to consider reviving departmental sports in the country, sources said.

The sources stated that the government is considering reinstating all departmental sports teams, which were shut down by the former government.

He further stated that plans are being made to direct the departments to revive their sports teams. Former Test cricketer Iqbal Qasim, who was considered a big supporter of departmental cricket in the country, quit the chairmanship of the cricket committee in September 2020, citing the non-serious attitude of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) towards the issue.

 

[the Great Khan]

This will be disastrous.but not a surprise from this traitorous incompetent govt. Why are they dragging everything backwards? Just stupidity of the highest order. Also will they keep regional cricket? Just stupid..welcome back to the 1990's..

 

[Babeikh]

Am hoping this is just a case of the self interest groups lobbying through their journaliat friends. There hasn't been any official statement

 

[Hextro]

We need more FC teams. 6 are too low. Better pitches as well.

Technically there are 12 teams if we include the 2nd XIs.

 

[offstump]

Welcome back to Purana Pakistan!

 

[MenInG]

Conflicting reports...

==

A top PCB official regarding the return on departmental cricket

"The constitution will have to be changed for this, even if the departments agree to form teams again at the government's request"

"The appointment of players and other issues cannot be worked out overnight. At least this year, the return of departmental teams is unlikely"

 

[BunnyRabbit]

Technically there are 12 teams if we include the 2nd XIs.

Their matches don't count in FC I believe.

 

[Babeikh]

Conflicting reports...

==

A top PCB official regarding the return on departmental cricket

"The constitution will have to be changed for this, even if the departments agree to form teams again at the government's request"

"The appointment of players and other issues cannot be worked out overnight. At least this year, the return of departmental teams is unlikely"

This is good news. Ao to bring departments back it will need ...


1. The PCB to change their policy
2. The PCB constitution to be amended
3. Existing cricket associstions to be disbanded
4. Departments to agree to form new teams
5. New structure designed and implemented.

It seems to me this whole process would take a year. Will departments take the risk of doing this if there is going to be an election soon anyway and if PTI win they will have wasted all their time and resource.

I think most likely nothing will happen until election.

 

[Mirpur express]

No & Salam butt’s opinions (useful or not) are absolutely cringe

 

[Markhor]

https://cricketpakistan.com.pk/en/n...gnal-regarding-return-of-departmental-cricket

Meanwhile, former Test cricketer Iqbal Qasim said that departmental cricket should be restored immediately.

"A think tank should be set up to give suggestions in this regard. Cricketers, who are not contracted with the PCB, can be given a chance in a Grade II tournament at the start," Iqbal said.

"In the meantime, a new system can be created and implemented from next year, any tournament of departments and regions together is also possible," he added.

He added that re-formation of teams for departments would not be a difficult task.

"Most of them still have structures. National Bank and UBL have sports complexes, WAPDA can also come," he maintained.

"All of them just have to reorganize so that the players get some employment, right now cricketers like Kamran Akmal and Asad Shafiq are unemployed," he concluded.

At least Kamran Akmal and Asad Shafiq will be happy !

 

[CricketingMinds]

Yes, because we should do everything in our power to make sure Kamran Akmal and Asad Shafiq get salaries for doing nothing even if it damages our cricket & talent pipeline in the long run.

 

[offstump]

Kamran Akmal and Asad Shafiq should go get real jobs if they can no longer play cricket. Maybe go and upgrade their skills and education and apply for a job like everyone else. Departments don’t owe jobs to anyone.

 

[Energy]

Everyone is against middle-tier cricketers getting salaries. Wow. Talk about keyboard warriors.

The very polished provincial model gave us Sajid, and Iftikhar as gold standard players in the last couple of years. Shabaash.

 

[Titan24]

Conflicting reports...

==

A top PCB official regarding the return on departmental cricket

"The constitution will have to be changed for this, even if the departments agree to form teams again at the government's request"

"The appointment of players and other issues cannot be worked out overnight. At least this year, the return of departmental teams is unlikely"

As mentioned in another thread, there is no magic wand to start everything just like that when departments don't even have allocated budgets for them currently.

Further few of the major teams from corporates in the form of HBL, UBL etc already closed down their teams before the change in the structure.

 

[Kaddy]

I know it is not easy to bring back the departmental cricket immediately but what if they go back to old system and soon after that Imran Khan wins the election again and comes back into power.

It would be an awkward situation.

 

[Babeikh]

I know it is not easy to bring back the departmental cricket immediately but what if they go back to old system and soon after that Imran Khan wins the election again and comes back into power.

It would be an awkward situation.

Yeah exactly. I don't think departments will take the risk of investing in a cricket team until after the next election if PTI loses.

From what I can see the only argument in favour of departments is that free loaders like Kamran Akmal should continue to get a salary - no thanks

 

[silentkiller187]

The departmental system was introduced by former Pakistan captain, Abdul Hafeez Kardar, but was abolished at the behest of the former Prime Minister, Imran Khan, in 2019 which forced hundreds of cricketers and officials to lose their jobs due to the closure of departments.

Responding to this, Pakistan’s former Test cricketers, Intikhab Alam and Zaheer Abbas have said that the revival of departmental cricket in the country is important as it helped many players in the past.

While talking to a local newspaper Intikhab said, “Everyone witnessed how several departmental teams were formed and [from them] how many international level cricketers emerged who got a huge opportunity to play the game [at the highest level] and secure their future.”

Intikhab further said that departmental cricket was closed by those who were themselves the beneficiaries of that system. “Instead of encouraging departmental cricket that grooms new talent, the departments were discouraged which forced many of them to shut their doors to cricketers.”

While responding to six team system he asked, “Pakistan is a nation of 220 million and we have only six teams in our first-class cricket. What can you produce through this system?”

Speaking on the same subject, legendary Zaheer Abbas said that the board should continue the departmental system as it has benefited thousands of cricketers in the county during the last six decades.

“There were thousands of cricketers who benefited through the departmental cricket system and it should continue,” the batting maestro remarked.

Earlier this month, former cricketer Iqbal Qasim had also requested the cricket board to restore departmental cricket immediately.

https://propakistani.pk/2022/04/22/...or-revival-of-department-cricket-in-pakistan/

 

[Babeikh]

People after jobs obviously

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

Its a waste of money, it allows ghost clubs to siphon funds and salaries on journeymen.

There will be elections soon and PTI will be back with a majority mandate.

 

[Bewal Express]

Everyone is against middle-tier cricketers getting salaries. Wow. Talk about keyboard warriors.

The very polished provincial model gave us Sajid, and Iftikhar as gold standard players in the last couple of years. Shabaash.

Chacha has been around way before the new system.

 

[moghul]

Does not make any sense to make any change in cricket structure by a government which not going to last more than a year at the most.

 

[Savak]

All the ex players are lobbying for PML N to remove Ramiz so that department cricket can be restored again.

 

[shamaan]

No they should not restore department cricket becouse PTI will be back next year.

 

[Gharib Aadmi]

No one and I mean no one wants to see WAPDA vs Sui Gas or National Bank vs PIA.

The current system is fine, and if more teams are needed they can name them after cities or region.

 

[MenInG]

LAHORE: Whilst the Pakistan Cricket Board looks in no rush to review the current domestic cricket system amid voices from the sport’s fraternity calling for restoration of departmental teams, former legend Majid Khan has proposed a solution that he believed can satisfy all stakeholders.

After the passing of its new constitution in 2019, the PCB virtually ended the role of departments and introduced six provincial cricket association sides which compete in three tournaments at the top-tier. The move was said to be inspired by then Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision for Pakistan cricket.

The revamping of the old system was met with criticism from the cricket community as it led to many players, coaches and even groundsmen losing their jobs with departments and clubs.

Majid said neither the departmental system nor a six-team structure would work in Pakistan’s favour. The former PCB chief believed a system in which the divisional sides are sponsored by departments is the one that would benefit all parties.

“All the 11 divisional teams including one each of Lahore and Karachi, which are larger in size against many divisions, should play first class cricket and the interested departments should come forward to sponsor each divisional team,” Majid told Dawn in an exclusive interview on Sunday.

“The amount which a sponsor will spend on a divisional cricket, the PCB will also contribute equal to that for the said division.”

The former Pakistan captain said such a system will also help in the appointment of the PCB chief. The departments sponsoring the divisional teams, he said, can see their representatives run for the post while the Prime Minister, who’s also the PCB patron chooses one of them.

“The secretary, treasurer and other members of the bodies of those divisions should be elected by their electoral colleges (zones/clubs),” said Majid, who played 63 Tests for country, while expre*ssing disappointment over the lack of consistency and planning by the cricket administrators.

“Our cricket has been running for the last 70 years on the same practice of inconsistency.

“We have been changing our system, infrastructure after few years, while our opponents have been running their system on consistency for many decades.

“If we want to compete with them you have to change your system on strong footings and to show consistency and if you don’t want to compete them then it is okay let going what is going on.”

Former PCB chairman Ehsan Mani also tried to urge departments to sponsor the six provincial associations teams when the system was introduced three years ago, but his efforts failed to convince them.

Majid believed Mani did not do enough homework to assure the dep*artments that his proposal would pay dividends in the future.

“They will not refuse provided you give them proper infrastructure and programme,” he said.

“It is quite easy, as in Pakistan many companies are ready to come forward as they have a lot of opportunities to promote their products through the game of cricket, which is widely popular in Pakistan.

“You need sincere efforts with clean vision to earn the trust of those companies to move forward.”

Majid, who featured for the national side in 23 One-day Internationals believed Pakistan had suffered due to domestic cricket systems changing with the change in regimes in the higher offices of the PCB.

He urged the cricket authorities to take a leaf out of the book of the much stronger cricket nations Australia, England and Pakistan’s arch-rivals India.

“Look at England, Australia, India and other countries, how they have been working consistently on their decades-long system and how many changes we have made in our domestic structure,” said Majid.

The former Marlyborne Cricket Club cricket committee member said Pakistan, who has a population of 220 million, cannot afford to implement a six-team system like that of Australia, where the state sides compete at the top level and are bolstered by talent coming in from club and school cricket.

“Pakistan has a good population of around 220 million and how can you test full talent in six teams?” inquired Majid, who said the Pakistan Super League thrives because of people’s association with the names of their cities, which is not the case in domestic cricket.

Majid said Pakistan cricket needed better administrators adding that it was only possible if good organisers are promoted to the top of the system. “In Australia the administration starts from club level and then to state and at last at the board’s level, so at the board’s level they are carrying the experience of cricket administration of 30 or 35 years,” he said.

INDIA-PAKISTAN CRICKET

Majid said it was unfortunate that Pakistan and India’s bilateral cricket ties are at an all-time low due to political tensions between the neighbouring countries.

He rued that the two countries haven’t played against each other as much as they should’ve given the greatness of their rivalry.

“In 1952-53 Pakistan and India started playing bilateral cricket and so far we could played 80 odd Test matches while Australia and England,

have played 200 Tests during this period,” Majid said.

“Had India and Pakistan been playing cricket like England and Australia do in the Ashes, we both would have been ruling the world of cricket.”

Majid said the governments needed to understand the importance of sport and its potential as a commercial entity. He said the neighbours should restore bilateral ties in not only cricket but other sports as well.

“Indo-Pak matches, in all the sports, can generate a lot of business and that will boost the economy of both the countries at a fast track and the government should realise this,” he said.

Majid believed Australia’s rec*ent tour to Pakistan did not guarantee all teams will do so in the future, but what guarantees is the national team’s stature in world cricket in terms of its quality.

He said had Pakistan did not prove to the world that they are a team to beat, it would have been much more difficult for the PCB to convince the best sides to visit the country.

“If we will be strong enough and occupying top positions [in the rankings], every country will love to tour to and invite Pakistan.” Concluded Majid.

Published in Dawn, April 25th, 2022

 

[hitthestump]

Seems ex-Pak cricketers are still living in the 80's. Majid wants to sell the idea to the Indians that bilteral cricket will boost economies, business and power for both nations. Since when does India need us to achieve any this?

There is nothing in it for them now except to batter us so the head to head looks better.

 

[MenInG]

PakPassion.net: What are your thoughts regarding the benefits of departmental as opposed to region-based domestic cricket?

Hassan Ali: Before we delve into which system is the best, we must first understand what we need to improve our cricket. Whoever is looking into this matter, whether they are politicians or PCB administrators, they all need to figure out how to make things better for our cricket and how to improve the quality of our talent pool. As far as department cricket is concerned, this system was helping run many households belonging to cricketers in Pakistan. On top of that, whoever was involved in department teams had some aspirations to play for those departments and earn their livelihood and then to find a place in the national side as well. We had a lot of departmental and regional teams before, and I feel that having more teams and therefore more cricket, would be beneficial for Pakistan.

We have a population of over 220 million so having just 6 First-class teams does not fit our requirements, in my view. What we have now is that many players have left the game or supplementing their income with menial jobs. Some of the players have even gone to the USA to play cricket which clearly tells you that there are less opportunities for playing cricket in Pakistan. When we have more competitive cricket in Pakistan then the better it will be for us. As you will recall, someone like Usman Khan Shinwari was playing for a department when he took a 5fer in his T20I debut series for Pakistan against Sri Lanka so there was an advantage of the old structure. I feel that instead of a complete overhaul, some basic changes to the current structure can be made to improve the situation so for example, 6 regional teams can be increased to 10 or more and to ask departments to form their teams again, which will result in many more cricketers getting a chance to play. When that happens, Pakistan cricket will see much more talent emerge which can only benefit our game. I should also mention the fact that with more international sides like Australia visiting us in the future, the enthusiasm for the game will grow even further as youngsters will be inspired by seeing their local stars compete against top talent from around the world.

 

[Babeikh]

Hasan continues the trend. Literally the only argument for department cricket is 'it gave jobs to loads of people'.

I remember Wasim Khan saying that the PCB is not a job creation agency and he nailed it. It is the cricket board.

 

[mazkhan]

The ex players are totally correct the departmental cricket was a whole functioning system with a patrons trophy being the feeder.

It allowed young talents to emerge and get opportunities.


The only thing that needed to be tweaked was play with intl kookaburra balls , stamp out ball tampering improve umpiring, improve the local pitches by making them test quality standard.

And with resumption of intl cricket in pakistan arrange tour matches with touring teams for shaheen squad and organise more oversees shaheen tours.

This whole carving and butchery of the system was not needed ik stance on australian model was a deluded one.

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

The ex players are totally correct the departmental cricket was a whole functioning system with a patrons trophy being the feeder.

It allowed young talents to emerge and get opportunities.


The only thing that needed to be tweaked was play with intl kookaburra balls , stamp out ball tampering improve umpiring, improve the local pitches by making them test quality standard.

And with resumption of intl cricket in pakistan arrange tour matches with touring teams for shaheen squad and organise more oversees shaheen tours.

This whole carving and butchery of the system was not needed ik stance on australian model was a deluded one.

Your oversized departmental cricket produced match fixers and chuckers and 40 year olds pretending to be 28.

Ghost clubs and employees who were sucking PCB money like parasites.

Some players paying money for a days worth of full tosses and a parchi slip to the the chief selector.

 

[Fenrir]

If departmental cricket is the ideal then why was it not adopted by all other major cricketing nations?.The six team format is the right system.

 

[CrIc_Mystique]

Am not well versed with Pak FC structure. But surely doesnt the PM Sharif have enough on his plate & steer the country than to revamp the cricketstructure? I thought ex-pm Imran had a good vision by reducing the number of teams and increasing the competitiveness. But any ways, whilst at it - make more competitive pitches not the ones seen in aus series.
I wish we made more competitive pitches instead of slow low bounce bunsen burners day in and out

 

[Shaka81]

Of course the players only care about money and getting on board the gravy train that was departmental cricket. So many people involved in cricket only have their self-interest and departmental cricket was one way of ensuring corruption could happen without scrutiny. Simply no fan ever cared about departmental cricket matches so they had no idea just how many talentless "cricketers" were involved just of the back of an endorsement or bribe somewhere.

Regional cricket might have it flaws but at least it caters for fans. Something an ordinary person can buy into and more likely to attract viewership and participation.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

This will be utter disaster if it happens and will send our cricket back a decade more. And why? Just because we can give some mediocre, club-level cricketers more jobs?

I mean since when did cricket become a profession that is on-par with being a factory worker?

Its amazing how these rent-seeking politicians manage to find their way into every strata of society. Its bad enough that every institution and entity in this country is ruined by patronage, corruption and mediocrity. They are intent on destroying cricket too.

 

[MenInG]

LAHORE: Former Pakistan Test pacer Sarfraz Nawaz has urged Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif to restore departmental cricket in the country, underlining it helped a lot in grooming talented players for decades.

In a letter sent to the prime minister, Sarfraz said during the regime of ex-prime minister Imran Khan departmental cricket was abolished leaving hundreds of cricketers across Pakistan jobless.

“Women cricketers also suffered a lot due to the abolition of departments during the tenure of the previous government; now according to a rough estimate the number of women cricketers in the country has been reduced to 45 from 200, who were available three years ago,” added the 73-old Sarfraz.

Insisting that Pakistan’s present domestic cricket system which is operating without departments presented a gloomy picture, Sarfraz said immediate action was required to put things on the right track.

“I, like many other Pakistan cricketers, benefited from departmental cricket which saved our future, and I want upcoming players [of present generation] to also get the same advantage,” the right-armer added.

Currently, Sarfraz continued, only 192 players of six provincial cricket associations were receiving the central contract whereas in the departmental system the number of well paid cricketers was around 400.

“Sixteen regional cricket associations were playing their part in the domestic cricket according to the PCB constitution of 2014. However, now only six provincial association teams are operating.”

Sarfraz said he had requested the PM to revive without delay the previous domestic structure which would expand the system enabling maximum number of cricketers to take benefit from it.

“Records proved that players belonging to different departments played a very positive role in promoting cricket and cricketers, without putting any [financial] burden on PCB resources,” Sarfraz emphasised.

“In fact, departmental cricket shared the PCB’s burden of responsibilities.”

Published in Dawn, April 29th, 2022

 

[gazza619]

leaving hundreds of cricketers across Pakistan jobless.

Can somebody tell this buffoon that 75% of those cricketers were old uncles or thugs who do not deserve to be anywhere near our cricket.

A new structure needs a decade to give out results. Sarfaraz Nawaz & Misbah are like mafias. It is not PCB’s objective to give out jobs.

 

[daytrader]

‘Imran Khan wasn’t behind closure of departmental cricket’

Mani claims system was corrupted

For months, majority in Pakistan cricket fraternity have been discussing the closure of ‘department cricket’ under former prime minister and captain Imran Khan’s tenure.

Everyone believed that the move was made on instructions of Imran Khan. However, former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ehsan Mani has finally let the cat out of the bag.

According to him, it was his idea to shut the department cricket from the very beginning.

“It was my idea to shut departmental cricket,” Mani made the revelation during an interview with Cricket Pakistan. “The only contrasting opinion was that Imran [Khan] wanted six teams whereas my suggestion was to start with eight teams instead.”

Moreover, the former International Cricket Council (ICC) president backed his decision by terming the previous setup as ‘corrupt’. “If departmental cricket method was a functional then other countries would have also adopted it,” he said.

“Banks were pulling out before my arrival; even before the new system was introduced. Only one local bank pulled out after I took over.

“Rest of the departments only used to prefer cricketers that were trained by PCB. Majority of the players were only paid for the season and were not employed throughout the year – with some exceptions of star players,” Mani said.

“The system [departmental cricket] was so corrupted; that we had two divisions and players from first division were representing departments in the second division,” he said. “I remember Faisalabad qualified for first division and it was later revealed that 9 out of 12 players in that team were already representing departments in the first division. There couldn’t have been a more flawed system in place,” Ehsan added
https://www.samaaenglish.tv/sports/...wasnt-behind-closure-of-departmental-cricket/

 

[MenInG]

Javed Miandad in an interview to a media outlet:


"Cricketers fear that they do not have financial security, so they try to take advantage of the opportunities available to them. Due to lack of financial security, they were tempted to make money illegally"

"The purpose of departmental cricket was to provide financial comfort to the players so that they could concentrate on their game," Miandad added by emphasising he would continue to raise his voice on the resumption of departmental cricket.

"In the past, the big players did not have any source of income, they did not get much money in the game; Little Master Hanif Mohammad, who had done great deeds in the world of cricket, did not get anything"

"Players considered themselves mentally safe, they worked hard and played an important role in the success of their team. Courtesy of departmental team, Pakistan became the world champion, today hundreds of cricketers are starving for bread"

"Due to departmental cricket, many famous but illiterate players also got financial comfort and their children earned higher education"

"It is also important to organize regional cricket with the institutions. In the past, Karachi and Lahore used to have strong teams. With the end of institutional patronage, sports in the country declined. The PCB must introduce a system where departments along with associations have equal opportunities"

 

[Major]

‘Imran Khan wasn’t behind closure of departmental cricket’

Mani claims system was corrupted

For months, majority in Pakistan cricket fraternity have been discussing the closure of ‘department cricket’ under former prime minister and captain Imran Khan’s tenure.

Everyone believed that the move was made on instructions of Imran Khan. However, former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ehsan Mani has finally let the cat out of the bag.

According to him, it was his idea to shut the department cricket from the very beginning.

“It was my idea to shut departmental cricket,” Mani made the revelation during an interview with Cricket Pakistan. “The only contrasting opinion was that Imran [Khan] wanted six teams whereas my suggestion was to start with eight teams instead.”

Moreover, the former International Cricket Council (ICC) president backed his decision by terming the previous setup as ‘corrupt’. “If departmental cricket method was a functional then other countries would have also adopted it,” he said.

“Banks were pulling out before my arrival; even before the new system was introduced. Only one local bank pulled out after I took over.

“Rest of the departments only used to prefer cricketers that were trained by PCB. Majority of the players were only paid for the season and were not employed throughout the year – with some exceptions of star players,” Mani said.

“The system [departmental cricket] was so corrupted; that we had two divisions and players from first division were representing departments in the second division,” he said. “I remember Faisalabad qualified for first division and it was later revealed that 9 out of 12 players in that team were already representing departments in the first division. There couldn’t have been a more flawed system in place,” Ehsan added
https://www.samaaenglish.tv/sports/...wasnt-behind-closure-of-departmental-cricket/

False story by ehsan mani and lying his way while also making awaam bewakoof.

Faisalabad was demoted to grade 2(second 11). Grade 2 season used to happened seperately than the grade 1 (first class). Often players would play for both grade 1 and grade 2 teams. This is not wrong, it happens all over the world especially in systems where a grade 1 team doesnt have a grade 2 team.

Misbah and co who played for sngpl played grade 2 for faisalabad to make sure it can qualify to grade 1. At the time they had a rule that the winner of grade 2 gets grade 1 status which faisalabad achieved.

After that during the start of domestic season all grade 1 teams are suppose to announce their squads. A player cant play for two teams for first class.

The one day and t20 set up was seperate and had nothing to do with first class teams.


Departments preferred all cricketers. It depended on who was running the dept. For example, misbah ran the sngpl dept so he used to pluck out the players from the tournament for his team. Yasir shah, iftikhar ahmad, azhar ali and asad shafique all played for different teams. Misbah would than scout them in and got them to play for his sngpl. He only took quality players.

If they performed, than Misbah would play those players at international level. Ehsan mani is again lying saying that as if dept went for pcb trained players.

Teams like hbl couldnt get pakistani players because sngpl owned them.

Also depts paid and gave jobs to players even after retirement. Especially jobs. Wapda is well knowm for this

 

[MenInG]

Kamran Akmal in an interview

“Unfortunately, the Pakistan cricket system is in a bad shape due to unnecessary experimentation by the Pakistan Cricket Board and former Prime Minister [Imran Khan]. This damaged Pakistan cricket a lot"

 

[CricketingMinds]

Kamran Akmal in an interview

“Unfortunately, the Pakistan cricket system is in a bad shape due to unnecessary experimentation by the Pakistan Cricket Board and former Prime Minister [Imran Khan]. This damaged Pakistan cricket a lot"

I think we are in a pretty good shape. The only thing that's out of shape is Kami himself

 

[Fenrir]

The present system is the right one.It should be improved further where improvements are needed.Forget about the old departmental system.There is no harm adding two more teams to the existing six teams.School and college cricket needs attention.There are no facilities at this level in areas.

 

[anonymous_guy]

Why is it that all these TTF are against this system?

Akmal brothers, Hafeez, Amir, Salman Butt etc are always pointing out the negatives, how is it hurting them in particular!

 

[shamaan]

The present system is right and should continue.

 

[CricketingMinds]

The present system is right and should continue.

No system is ever 'perfect'. You have to focus on the positives of this system for the team + it's performance (not individual players).

Plus, there's always room for improvement in all systems. Here too. Perhaps adding 1-2 more teams who knows.

But the most important thing is continuity. Too much and too frequent chopping and changing will never help the team in the long run

So let's just stick with this for 8-10 years and we will see what happens.

We tried the department system for what... 50-60years right? Might as well give this new one 1/5th of that time at least

 

[Babeikh]

Kamran Akmal another one who wants a 'job' at one of these departments so he can be paid to do nothing. Sorry mate, it is not the PCB's responsibility to ensure you have a job.

 

[Hextro]

Regression is not an option. These ex-players better get that into their heads. Absolute freeloaders.

 

[shamaan]

No system is ever 'perfect'. You have to focus on the positives of this system for the team + it's performance (not individual players).

Plus, there's always room for improvement in all systems. Here too. Perhaps adding 1-2 more teams who knows.

But the most important thing is continuity. Too much and too frequent chopping and changing will never help the team in the long run

So let's just stick with this for 8-10 years and we will see what happens.

We tried the department system for what... 50-60years right? Might as well give this new one 1/5th of that time at least

I agree that we need to give it time and that no system is perfect.I think they could add one more team in maybe couple years but not right now .

 

[MenInG]

With Sethi's imminent return, Dept cricket should be back by the looks of it.

 

[Rana]

100% it needs to return

You had your shot at making the Pakistan domestic circuit competitive apparently

Look at your Test team and how badly it’s regressed. The so called saviour system is a failure system

 

[Rana]

This will be utter disaster if it happens and will send our cricket back a decade more. And why? Just because we can give some mediocre, club-level cricketers more jobs?

I mean since when did cricket become a profession that is on-par with being a factory worker?

Its amazing how these rent-seeking politicians manage to find their way into every strata of society. Its bad enough that every institution and entity in this country is ruined by patronage, corruption and mediocrity. They are intent on destroying cricket too.

The current system has sent out cricket back into the 30s

 

[Nasty Naz]

100% it needs to return

You had your shot at making the Pakistan domestic circuit competitive apparently

Look at your Test team and how badly it’s regressed. The so called saviour system is a failure system

You do realize Pakistan Test team became a disaster immediately after MisYou retired under the old domestic system. The retirements of MisYou and decline of Yasir Shah left them in shambles.

Most of the players on the team are from the old system with the exception of Abdullah & Abrar. The old system was shambolic and didn't even produce competitive cricket.

 

[Rana]

You do realize Pakistan Test team became a disaster immediately after MisYou retired under the old domestic system. The retirements of MisYou and decline of Yasir Shah left them in shambles.

Most of the players on the team are from the old system with the exception of Abdullah & Abrar. The old system was shambolic and didn't even produce competitive cricket.

Abdullah was discovered on Tik Tok or Instagram

Not the new system.,

Sajid Khan, Nauman, Muhammad Ali, Salman Agha…they are all products of this new system

They all struggle to hold down a spot in the side

 

[Fenrir]

The departmental system promotes mediocrity.There is no pressure on players to perform.With dozens of teams it is difficult to separate wheat from the chaff.The present system is fine.Good facilities,coaching and team selection s the problem.

 

[Kashmiri_Pak_fan]

Abdullah was discovered on Tik Tok or Instagram

Not the new system.,

Sajid Khan, Nauman, Muhammad Ali, Salman Agha…they are all products of this new system

They all struggle to hold down a spot in the side

How could have old system produced better players from today's generation?...pls explain

 

[Rana]

How could have old system produced better players from today's generation?...pls explain

How am I supposed to definitively know? What I do no is England only won 2 Test matches in their history in Pakistan under the old system

They have won 2 in 2 games under the new one.

The proof is in the pudding

 

[Rana]

The departmental system promotes mediocrity.There is no pressure on players to perform.With dozens of teams it is difficult to separate wheat from the chaff.The present system is fine.Good facilities,coaching and team selection s the problem.

The current system sustains mediocrity

It is pathetic!

The players coming out are useless!

 

[Nasty Naz]

Abdullah was discovered on Tik Tok or Instagram

Not the new system.,

Sajid Khan, Nauman, Muhammad Ali, Salman Agha…they are all products of this new system

They all struggle to hold down a spot in the side

lol they haven't played strictly under this new system... they played under the older one. Old FC system had mediocre medium pacers like Sadaf Hussain being world beaters.
.

 

[trickyone]

New system is working fine, Abrar is one of the example. If you dont select players based on the merit than nothing can be done

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

Old system was perfect for corruption. Ghost players, ghost teams, parchi selections and journeymen blocking entry of emerging talent.

A decade ago a certain international player was paying for a days worth of full tosses to boost his averages. No wonder our quality declined after the 90s/2000s.

 

[MenInG]

The jobs for the boys system known as Departmental Cricket.

 

[shah_1]

The current system sustains mediocrity

It is pathetic!

The players coming out are useless!

Last system was crap. This system is not ideal as well.

Half of Pakistan was not playing first class. Teams like Sialkot, Quetta, Multan and many others didn't play FC cricket. Creating a division of regions was a flop idea.

Those players in second division of regional cricket(not FC cricket) were never picked by department cricket.

 

[moghul]

Nothing wrong with the current system, last one was a joke.