Revive departmental cricket for Pakistan's future, urges Azhar Ali

Former Pakistan captain Azhar Ali has strongly advocated for the revival of departmental cricket, asserting it is essential for nurturing talent within the country. Ali believes the decision to dismantle this system has directly contributed to the current struggles in Pakistan's international cricket.

Describing departmental teams as the "biggest nursery for Pakistan cricket," Ali expressed concern that the system is once again being marginalized. He stressed that restoring it is vital for the future of the sport in Pakistan. "Department cricket is a big need for Pakistan," Ali stated. "It's contributed a lot to our cricket. We shut it down a few years ago, and my personal view is that the slide in Pakistan's international cricket right now has a lot to do with department cricket being shut down."

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Department cricket is a big need for Pakistan. It's contributed a lot to our cricket. We shut it down a few years ago, and my personal view is that the slide in Pakistan's international cricket right now has a lot to do with department cricket being shut down.

Ali also criticized the instability within Pakistan's cricket structure, noting that the abolition of departmental cricket forced some young players to seek opportunities abroad due to a lack of a clear future at home. He questioned the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) frequent policy shifts, suggesting that constant alterations indicate previous decisions were flawed. "I've seen young players who had to leave Pakistan after department cricket was abolished here. They didn't see a future here," he said. "At the PCB, our problem is we're never wrong, but perhaps we're never right either because when you change every year, it means there was a mistake."

Ali's remarks come after the PCB decided to remove two departmental teams from the 2026-27 domestic season for failing to meet new regulations, including a significant increase in participation fees. Among the affected teams were WAPDA and the defending first-class champions. While Sahir Associates withdrew, Khan Research Laboratories (KRL), a team through which Ali himself emerged, reportedly considered withdrawing before agreeing to participate.

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I've seen young players who had to leave Pakistan after department cricket was abolished here. They didn't see a future here. At the PCB, our problem is we're never wrong, but perhaps we're never right either because when you change every year, it means there was a mistake.