The dilemma of Pakistan's domestic cricket
Cricket happens to be a very popular game in countries like Pakistan. The game was introduced by the British in this part of the world during their colonial rule. Today, more than fifty years have passed, and the game is still played with the same zeal and
fervor. Although field hockey is the national game of Pakistan, cricket is the most popular sport in the country. Pakistan has produced many brilliant cricketers, who have done remarkably well at the international level. The country is one of the most successful
cricketing nations in Asia.
It is interesting to note that every village and city in Pakistan has its own cricket team, and children start playing the game at a very early age. Despite all the interest, domestic cricket has not progressed in Pakistan over the years. It is a pity that
a nation that has been playing cricket for the last 50 years, never tried to maintain a viable infrastructure at the domestic level. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the sport’s governing body in the country, has never created a proper platform dedicated
to improving the status of the game at local level. It would be prudent here to quote some of the reasons for the decline of domestic cricket in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755.
Some of the major tournaments that take place at the domestic level are the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Twenty20 Cup and the Patron’s Trophy. The Quaid-i-Azam trophy was introduced in the year 1953 to help prepare a Test team for the forth coming tour to England.
Several teams like Karachi Blues and PIA participate in this tournament. The Patron’s Trophy is a Pakistani first class cricket competition which was first played in 1960-61. The trophy is contested between teams belonging to different geographical regions
around the country. In recent years, the Twenty20 format has gained popularity around the world and in Pakistan. This is the only format that has received any consistent support from sponsors, considering all the commercial benefits.
Pakistan’s domestic cricket structure is seriously lacking, and some cricketing powers speculate that the sport is on the verge of extinction in Pakistan. Domestic one-day tournaments have always lacked continuity in Pakistan. Tournaments are launched, but
are often discontinued without prior notice. The instability and insurgency in the country have also affected not only domestic, but international cricket in the country as well. Foreign players have no other option but to tell the PCB that they feel unsafe
playing in a country like Pakistan. The PCB too is in a tight spot, and is forced to keep shifting matches to neutral venues. Domestic cricket received its biggest setback, when Pakistan was stripped of its right to host the 2011 world cup. Today, there are
not many sponsors who would want to support local clubs in Pakistan.
It is too early to decide on the root cause for the decline of our domestic cricket, but it is possible that if the cricketing powers within Pakistan do not take notice of the current situation, the results may be catastrophic. Recently, sponsors like ABN
–AMRO have emerged, but they alone are incapable of providing a boost to our domestic cricket. The PCB should consider establishing cricket academies at the national level to nurture talented cricketers and eventually bring them into the national side. Also
cricketing powers around the world should play their part in the promotion and uplift of our domestic cricket. The International Cricket Council (ICC) should provide necessary funds for the promotion of domestic cricket in Pakistan. The government and sports
ministry also need to come to the aid of the country’s most popular sport, to ensure its future for years to come.
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