Department and bank sides may play a reduced role

Departmental and bank teams may be confined to playing in one-day games only in Pakistan's next domestic season. In the ongoing drive to regionalise the game by the board, a local newspaper has reported that in an upcoming major policy meeting, the PCB will look to drastically reduce the role that departments and banks play by having them participate in the national one-day tournament only. As the report pointed out, this move is likely to leave hundreds of players unemployed.

The structure of Pakistan's domestic game has been through many changes with some analysts claiming no two consecutive seasons have ever had the same structure. But not since Majid Khan's unsuccessful attempts to banish departments from the game altogether in the mid-90s has the change ever been as radical as this one might be. The report, in The News, quotes a source as saying, "Work is going on behind the scenes to just restrict the departments and banks to a one-day competition. And there is every likelihood that this new proposed domestic format could be put for discussion and formal approval at the advisory council meeting planned for June 4 at Lahore."

Rashid Latif, the former Pakistan captain, and an ardent supporter of the continued involvement of departments in the domestic game, also warned of drastic consequences. "Be prepared for the worst, because no departments or banks will then be prepared to spend millions on maintaining their cricket teams, and on employing cricketers who will then be rendered jobless and face problems balancing their cricket career and ambitions with their livelihood." Other ex-cricketers have criticised the move as well. One argued: "The board, like Imran Khan, appears to have developed a romantic concept about regionalising the domestic structure and then attracting thousands to the stadiums to watch their respective cities play." He continued, "What will happen is that cricketers would be rendered jobless and still no one would turn up to watch domestic matches." Given the shockingly sparse crowds for the recent Test series between India and Pakistan, this argument holds some weight.

This news comes in the light of the PCB's recent announcement that it is planning to offer cricketers who play for regional teams six-month professional contracts for next season. In the season just gone, the PCB paid every player who appeared in the region-based Quaid-e-Azam Trophy up to Rs. 60,000 for two months. A player employed by a bank, on the other hand, will be paid between Rs.10,000-15,000 a month, but crucially, this will be an annual contract, and that will provide players with financial stability.

The success, or otherwise, of the regional game has always hinged on finances and professionalism. A dearth of sponsors and resources have meant that prior to the season just gone, players were paid daily allowances only for appearances for their region. Recently, the allowance has been Rs.1,000 per day, although in the past it has been as low as Rs.100, and in the absence of any salary or contract, it has precluded the regional game from developing. Departments, in contrast, have offered the prospect of a job and a monthly salary, as well as a developed infrastructure where players can at least work on their games and not worry about making ends meet.

Wisden Comment
If the PCB can provide the financial impetus to kickstart the regional game - and the series against India should at least set them on their way - then perhaps there is hope. But while regional associations - who should be providing the finances for the regional game but are currently embroiled in a running battle with the PCB - remain financially dependent on the board, the prospects of a long-term professional regional set-up remain dim. The PCB will not always be as flush with money as it is now. In which case if the report in The News is to be believed, sidelining departments so quickly on the back of an unexpected windfall may yet prove a risky move. On June 4, we will be in a better position to assess the future of Pakistan cricket.