PCB yet to receive signal regarding return of departmental cricket

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has not received any instructions regarding the revival of department cricket.

PCB changed the system and formed six association sides (first XI and second XI) at the behest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan in 2019. Thousands of cricketers and officials lost their jobs due to the closure of departments.

When asked by a top PCB official regarding the return on departmental cricket, he answered no while adding that the changes can't be made so quickly. "The constitution will have to be changed for this, even if the departements agree to form teams again at the government's request," he told this correspondent.

"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.

Sources also further said that PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja is also not against departmental cricket, if he remains in office and the government calls for a change in the system, he will not oppose it either.

Meanwhile, former Test cricketer Iqbal Qasim said that departmental cricket should be restored immediately.

"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," Iqbal said.

"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.

He added that re-formation of teams for departments would not be a difficult task.

"Most of them still have structures. National Bank and UBL have sports complexes, WAPDA can also come," he maintained.

"All of them just have to reorganize so that the players get some employment, right now cricketers like Kamran Akmal and Asad Shafiq are unemployed," he concluded.