At least this year, the return of departmental teams is unlikely: PCB official

In the latest development, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is yet to receive any instructions regarding the revival of departmental cricket in the country.

Departmental cricket has been the soul of Pakistan cricket since its inception. However, former Prime Minister and the board’s patron-in-chief Imran Khan, in a bid to emulate the Australian First-Class system, replaced departments with six Division one and two teams back in 2019, driving so many cricketers and officials out of work. 

With Khan no longer in power, speculations have been rife about departmental cricketers being revived.

However, a PCB official has told ‘Cricket Pakistan’ that the entire constitution will have to be changed to reinstate departments and that it will take at least one year to revive the old system.

“The constitution will have to be changed for this, even if the departments agree to form teams again at the government’s request,” said a PCB official as quoted by Cricket Pakistan.

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

Meanwhile, former cricketer Iqbal Qasim has called for the immediate restoration of departments.

“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,” said the former left-arm spinner.

“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.

“Most of them still have structures. National Bank and UBL have sports complexes, WAPDA can also come,” Qasim said.

It has also been reported that current PCB chairman Ramiz Raja has no issues with the restoration of departmental cricket. And, if such an instruction comes from the government, he will not oppose it.

It will also be interesting to see how long Raja retains his office. The former Pakistan cricketer was appointed PCB chairman last September (in 2021). But with Imran Khan no longer the patron-in-chief, speculations are rife that veteran administrator Najam Sethi will likely replace Raja in the forthcoming months.