Azhar Ali Defends Departmental Cricket as Essential for Pakistan’s Future

Former Pakistan captain Azhar Ali has emerged as a staunch advocate for departmental cricket, which he describes as a vital “nursery for the national side.” In an interview with Cricinfo, he expressed concerns over Pakistan’s struggles in red-ball cricket and a diminishing talent pool, linking these challenges to the sidelining of departmental teams from domestic first-class cricket in recent years. “Department cricket is a big need for Pakistan,” Azhar emphasized, highlighting its historical contributions to the sport.

Azhar’s remarks come in light of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) recent decision to exclude two departmental teams, including WAPDA—one of the oldest sides in Pakistan’s domestic structure—and the defending champions from the first-class competition. This exclusion was attributed to the teams’ failure to comply with new PCB regulations involving a substantial increase in participation fees. Other departments, such as Sahir Associates, have also opted to withdraw rather than meet the new demands.

The current format of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy has been restructured to feature ten regional sides, imposing stricter financial requirements on departmental teams, which now participate in a separate competition. Azhar reflected on the consequences of these changes, noting, “I’ve seen young players who had to leave Pakistan after department cricket was abolished here. They didn’t see a future here.”

According to Azhar, the frequent changes within Pakistan’s cricketing framework hinder its ability to foster sustainable growth. “If you change every year, then you were either wrong last year or you’re wrong now,” he remarked, criticizing the PCB’s approach of continually tweaking the system while lacking consistent success in player development.

Azhar’s advocacy for departmental cricket is not new; he was part of a group of cricketers who approached former Prime Minister Imran Khan in 2020 to reconsider the decision to scrap departmental teams. Although they were unable to change Khan’s stance at the time, departments were allowed to return to domestic cricket in 2023 following Khan’s removal from office. He remarked, “I was moulded in department cricket, as so many others have been. The departments gave us salaries and financial security, and that’s crucial in Pakistan’s cultural and economic reality.”

With departmental teams historically providing financial stability that regional teams couldn’t match, Azhar pointed out that the ongoing marginalization of these sides is detrimental, particularly for young players striving for economic viability through cricket. “Desire to play is not a problem [in Pakistan],” he asserted, emphasizing that young players need viable incentives to pursue the sport.

Azhar raised alarms about the declining quality of talent in Pakistan cricket, stating, “You wonder why Pakistan’s talent has suddenly run dry.” He expressed concern over the current lack of mentorship opportunities for emerging cricketers, as the absence of experienced players diminishes the learning environment. “A coach can’t just do it all,” he said, stressing the importance of guidance from seasoned players to foster the next generation.

Special Credits: Image Courtesy of Espn