Playing domestic cricket must for selection in Pakistan team: PCB

Days after the Men in Green’s poor show in the T20 World Cup led to their early elimination, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday said playing domestic cricket would be must for selection in the Pakistan team.

The cricket body made this decision in a meeting presided by PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore.

The meeting reached a decision to review contracts of the domestic players and devise a plan for this purpose.

The development has come after former cricketers censured Pakistan team for their early elimination from the T20 World Cup 2024 because of their below par performance. Some even suggested sending players to the domestic circuit to fortify their basic techniques.

Pakistan were defeated by debutants US by five runs in a Super Over tie and against India by six runs. They managed to win against Canada on June 11 by seven wickets.

With the match between the US and Ireland abandoned due to rain on June 14, the co-hosts secured one point, consequently ending Pakistan's hopes of proceeding in the tournament.

The national team's last league game against Ireland was only a formality, after which the squad returned home.

Naqvi said quality domestic cricket would be promoted at every level and for this purpose, tournaments would be organised from the club to the national level with continuity.

“One of the best coaches will be hired for professional-style grooming of players, which will abridge the gap between national and international stage,” he said.

A master coach would be appointed for training of domestic cricket coaches, he said vowing to invest on fresh talent to promote cricket at lower level.

The PCB chief said players would be selected on the basis of their performance and fitness only. No compromise would be made on merit, he maintained.

The meeting reviewed domestic cricket structure of India, Australia, England and New Zealand as well.