Revival of departmental cricket is the only solution, Nawaz pleads PM Sharif

In significant happenings, the former Pakistan Test cricketer Sarfraz Nawaz has prompted the Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif to reinstate departmental cricket in the country, stating that it has aided in developing players brilliantly for decades.

Nawaz claimed that Former PM Imran Khan’s decision to do away with departmental cricket had rendered hundreds of cricketers across Pakistan unemployed and with no source of income.

Also, in the letter, Nawaz claimed, “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…” 

The former Test veteran pointed out that the nation’s current domestic cricket system, which is devoid of departments, needs quick action to get things back to how they should be.

“I, like many other Pakistan cricketers, benefited from departmental cricket, which saved our future, and I want upcoming players [of the present generation] also to get the same advantage,” the 73-year old added.

The former paceman also indicated that only about 192 players were at the receiving end of a central contract. While the previous departmental system enabled up to 400 players to enjoy the same and get paid well.

“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 expressed his disappointment.

As per Nawaz, this request to the PM to retrieve departmental cricket is the only major that could secure cricketers financially. 

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