Pakistan Cricket’s domestic structure
The ability to produce not only great players, but great Test teams, indicates the standard of domestic cricket structures.
If the domestic structure is great, consistent and competitive, there is no way it cannot produce great players. Same is not the case with Pakistan’s domestic cricket structure. The domestic cricket system in Pakistan has been quite uncertain.
There are First-class tournaments played in Pakistan’s domestic structure. Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, which is between government departments and major cities, Patron’s trophy, which is between government departments, and the Pentangular Cup.
The Pentangular Cup first started in 1973/74. Initially, the contest was between five teams in round matches and the winner being the team with the highest points. Afterwards, the cricket board decided that teams should participate on qualification basis. The top three teams from the Patron’s trophy and top two teams from the Quaid-e-Azam trophy were eligible for qualification. In the late 70’s, 6 teams were inducted in the tournament. The tournament’s procedure was consistently changed from 1973 to 1984. It was stopped in 1984 and resumed in 1990, being played till 1995. It was again stopped in 1995, and revived in 2005/2006 season.
Wills Cup was the first domestic One Day tournament that started in 1980/81. Each match was for 45 overs. The Wills Gold Flake cup then started in 1990’s. These tournament lacked continuity and consistency. In 2004/05 the ABN-Amro Cup started, which was a One Day and T20 tournament played between the regions. The Abn-Amro Cup has been nothing more than a fill in the blank in the domestic cricket setup of Pakistan.
It can be seen that a lack of consistency and continuity in domestic cricket systems hasn’t produced quality players in a systematic method. Wasim Akram was a club bowler, who bowled to Javed Miandad in the nets. Javed found it difficult to bat against Wasim. Wasim was swinging the ball both ways at pace. Javed called Imran Khan, to have a look at the youngster. Imran found him great and inducted him into the team. Inzamam was brought into the nets, to face Wasim and Waqar. Inzamam played well against the pace of the two W’s and was picked for the side. Waqar was picked by Imran on the basis of his pace. Imran saw Waqar in a side match and discovered he can bowl with great pace. The greatest Pakistani cricketer, Imran Khan, played and learnt his cricket in England. Mohammad Amir was picked up by Wasim Akram in a random talent hunt.
Great Pakistani players have been picked in the national side not on the basis of their domestic performances, but by randomly catching the eye of ex-cricketers for displaying natural talent.
In the past there have been examples of players performing well in the domestic circuit, but haven’t been able to transfer their performance of domestic cricket into international cricket.
Shafique Papa and Younis Ahmed are prime examples. Both of them use to score plenty of runs in the domestic circuit but could not replicate their domestic performances on the international level. Currently, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Sami, Imran Farhat are prime examples. All these players perform magnificently in the domestic circuit, but fail at the international level.
The main cause is, the wickets in Pakistan have been so dead and docile that batsman can easily hit through the line and hides their weaknesses. At the international level these batsmen are badly exposed against the moving ball.
There has been a lack of professionalism in domestic cricket. The players are not paid well in domestic cricket and are properly groomed for handling the pressures of international cricket. Chances of a Pakistani domestic cricketer, crumbling under pressure in the international arena, are high.
Cricketers of the past often criticise the domestic structure in Pakistan. Imran Khan often focuses on lack of competition in domestic cricket. Imran wants the cricket board to adopt a system similar to the Australian domestic structure.
The Australian domestic structure is a perfect example of a consistent and competitive structure. Six state teams, NSW, Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia compete in closely followed domestic matches. Whether be it First-class cricket (Sheffield-shield), One Days (Pura cup), or T20 (KFC Big Bash), the same number of teams play. They have sporting wicktes. A bowler, who bowls well, will get wickets and a batsman, who bats well, will score runs. There are enough back-up players to replace national players. So, if a player gets his opportunity, he performs well because he knows there is a team of talented individuals, who can take his place. There is so much professionalism that a First-class cricketer leads the life of an international cricketer. This is why Australia has been consistently able to produce great Test teams.
PCB needs to closely examine the current domestic cricket structure. Quality players can only be produced if there is a quality system. The gentleman’s game needs professionalism, competitiveness, and a strong spirit.