**No cricket-playing nation has been more resistant to change than Pakistan. **
Stars like Inzamam appear only occasionally in domestic games
The national team has relied heavily on spotting players with natural talent early, as was the case with current skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq.
But the common consensus is that following recent results, in particular a 3-0 Test series whitewash in Australia, upheaval is necessary.
“Pakistan’s recent defeat in Australia speak volumes about a faulty domestic set-up,” said 1992 World Cup-winning captain Imran Khan.
“We are not producing quality batsmen and it’s time we redesigned our domestic cricket, or Pakistan cricket will sink further.”
Domestic cricket, despite its rich tradition, lacks a competitive edge.
The chief reason is that top players do not feature regularly because schedules coincide with international cricket commitments.
“Of course, the level of talent has shrunk but even the available talent is not groomed, not developed properly, due to a faulty system,” said Imran.
Pakistan has not had a sponsor for domestic cricket since 1997.
But that has now changed with the Pakistan Cricket Board, led by diplomat Shaharyar Khan, securing a new partnership with the Dutch bank, ABN Amro.
“We sponsor cricket and soccer in the Netherlands, motor racing in Brazil and tennis in Europe, so as part of our sports loving policy we have come up with cricket sponsorship in Pakistan,” said spokesman Naved Khan.
They have promised to finance and promote domestic competitions and hopefully make them more competitive and dynamic.
I hope to see more and more matches once club cricket is revived
Cricketer Aamir Basheer
Sponsors are being sought for each team and there are also suggestions that they should also be backed by members, like county cricket in England.
“This is the first step. Our task is to improve domestic cricket and with it [achieve] better results at international level,” said the PCB chairman.
“National Cricket Pakistan”, as it will be known, will have two first-class tournaments, namely the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy for regional teams and Patron’s Trophy for teams run by banks and other commercial organisations.
For the first time a Twenty20 Cup will be played, in February and March, in addition to existing one-day competitions.
And the teams have been named after animals for limited overs competitions to help raise public interest.
This was the idea of former Pakistan captain and ex-PCB chief Rameez Raja.
The two Karachi teams are called the Zebras and Dolphins, the two from Lahore are the Eagles and Lions.
They will compete against Peshawar Panthers, Multan Tigers, Hyderabad Hawks, Sialkot Stallions, Faisalabad Wolves, Rawalpindi Rams and Quetta Bears.
“It’s exciting,” said Faisal Athar, who toured England with Pakistan in 2003 and is captain of the Hawks.
The PCB is determined to create more intense competition
The standard of play in the early matches of the ABN Amro Cup has, however, been mixed.
The Rams were bowled out for just 96 in their opening game as the Wolves recorded a three-wicket win, but Faisalabad made heavy weather of their target before winning by three wickets.
In another game, the Zebras used up their entire allocation of overs to make only 146-8 and the Lions then rushed to their target in less than 20 overs without losing a wicket.
Club cricket and schools cricket, meanwhile, are also due for a revival.
“We don’t have any matches to play once the first-class season is over,” said Aamir Basheer, a prominent batsman in domestic cricket.
“I hope to see more and more matches once club cricket is revived and backed by the PCB.”
Changing a system is not easy. But this first step is both welcome and long overdue.
some change atlast , the name following are very similar to baseball /basket ball teams in US
so who will support Lahore Lions? or Eagles? Karachi Zebras? Dolphins?
its time to choose your teams now and support them.
I am happy they got rid of habib bank, ubl pia like names. or will they still exist?