Discontent brewing in Pak cricket over new domestic structure

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is facing stiff resistance from players and its affiliated departments and regions over a proposed domestic structure which is likely to be implemented this year.

The resistance has come in the form of dozens of players presently playing in the United Kingdom for clubs in different leagues, protesting the timing of the new domestic season.

Some Departments are even pondering going to court against the new structure.

The PCB had at its last General Body announced a new domestic structure with emphasis on less teams in the premier first class competition, the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.

The biggest change brought about the by the Board is that now while the top six departments and six regions will directly qualify for the Quaid Trophy two departmental teams and two regions will qualify after appearing in a qualifying non-first class three day matches tournament for which the Board has announced dates.

According to the schedule, the qualifying tournament will begin from August 1, something unheard of in Pakistan?s domestic season as it normally starts in mid September with the first class events.