Inter-departmental tournaments to continue

Though a number of changes are likely to take place in the Pakistan domestic structure, the board will not do away with the inter-departmental tournaments, which will remain an integral part of the format. Talking to The News, Shaharyar Khan, the chairman of the Pakistan board, said that televising domestic matches and formulating a new code of conduct, which would require players to play a minimum number of matches to qualify for selection to the national team, were also likely.

Shaharyar also stressed the role of the departments and banks. "In the new format," Shaharyar said, "we will allow the top eight departments and banks to compete in a first-class tournament and a one-day competition while there will be no limit on number of departments, organisations and banks in the grade two competition which would be held on a promotion and relegation basis."

Shaharyar said that the new domestic format would be announced later this week and that it would be in place on an experimental basis for the next three years. "We have now got to the final stages of finalising the domestic structure and in this regard I would be holding a meeting with former players on Tuesday and then we will have a meeting with the Advisory Council members on Wednesday."

There was also a chance, according to Shaharyar, that the board might consider increasing the number of regional teams in the premier first-class competition. He also confirmed that there would be a final in the regional tournament from next year.

About the introduction of the Twenty20 Cup, Shaharyar said that it would be held in the festive season of Ramzan and was being introduced to serve as entertainment for the younger generation and the families. He added, "We are not going to treat Twenty 20 Cup as a barometer for judging any player but we will try to ensure the best players take part in this competition."