The recent uproar over the Pakistan cricket team’s abysmal performance in the T20 World Cup, where they failed to advance beyond the first round, underscores a deeper crisis within the domestic cricket structure. Pakistan’s shocking defeat to T20 debutants USA and then loss to India left the nation in dismay, reflecting a broader issue.

The underlying cause of Pakistan cricket’s ongoing decline is rooted in a flawed domestic system plagued by non-independent associations and the proliferation of dummy clubs. These issues have emerged from numerous amendments to the PCB constitution, often enacted without considering their long-term impact on the sport.

A strong and independent domestic system is crucial for any country aspiring to build a world-class cricket team. Nations like Australia, England, and India have robust, independently elected cricket bodies that operate transparently and fairly. This is reflected in the high standards of their domestic competitions: Australia’s Sheffield Shield, England’s County Championship, and India’s Ranji Trophy.

In contrast, Pakistan’s Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and Patron’s/President’s Trophy lag far behind. The primary reason is the lack of fair elections for cricket associations, leading to biased selections and the inclusion of non-deserving players from dummy clubs. This unfair selection process undermines the overall quality of domestic cricket, preventing it from reaching international standards.

This was the reason for Pakistan’s early exit in the T20 World Cup as the team was not selected on merit but was picked on the basis of personal likes and dislikes of those at the helm of affairs.

For Pakistan cricket to thrive, the PCB must take bold steps to ensure fair and independent elections for cricket associations. This includes thorough scrutiny to eliminate dummy clubs and ensure that only deserving players, selected on merit, represent the associations. Such reforms will help raise the standard of domestic cricket, providing a solid foundation for the national team.

The PCB’s commitment to addressing these issues, even if it takes time, is crucial for the future of Pakistan cricket. By holding fair elections and eliminating dummy clubs, deserving cricketers will have a fair chance to showcase their talent, ultimately elevating the standard of domestic cricket. This, in turn, will help Pakistan build a stronger, more competitive national team capable of performing at the highest levels on the global stage.

Another significant blow to Pakistan cricket came during Ehsan Mani’s tenure as PCB chief when departmental cricket was banned under directives from then Prime Minister Imran Khan. The aim was to promote regional cricket, emulating the Australian domestic model. Ironically, Imran Khan himself rose through the ranks of departmental cricket.

The decision to abolish departmental cricket rendered thousands of cricketers jobless, ignoring the fact that Pakistan’s economic structure differs significantly from that of Australia and England. In countries like Australia, unemployed individuals receive social security, a safety net that is absent in Pakistan. Mani’s decision to end departmental cricket had devastating effects on countless players’ livelihoods.

Former PCB chief and Pakistan cricket captain Abdul Hafeez Kardar recognised the importance of departmental teams for the sport’s development in Pakistan. His vision was realistic and aimed at bolstering cricket at the grassroots level. The dismantling of this system has also contributed significantly to the national team’s poor performance and the declining standards of domestic cricket.