LAHORE: Despite the Paki­stan Cricket Board (PCB) branding the ongoing Quaid-e-Azam Cricket Trophy as its premier first-class tournament, many are questioning the treatment of participating tea­ms, which suggests a dow­ngrade to a Grade-II event.

Traditionally regarded as the PCB’s premier cricketing event, the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy featured eight top regional teams in Grade-I and as many in Grade-II.

Under the previous structure, the top team from Grade-II would be promoted to Grade-I, while the bottom team of Grade-I would face relegation. However, this year, the PCB has expanded participation to all 16 regi­ons, allowing major areas like Karachi and Lahore to field two teams each, resu­lting in a total of 18 teams, up from eight last year.

This expansion, while increasing player involvement and match opportunities, has led to concerns about the event’s competitive integrity.

Initially scheduled to commence on October 20 with a total of 73 matches divided into two groups, the PCB later revised the structure, reducing the number of matches to 49 and delaying the start to October 26. Last year’s tou­rnament featured eight te­a­ms playing 29 matches, highlighting a significant decrease in fixtures this year.

Furthermore, match fees for players have been reportedly slashed from Rs100,000 to approximately Rs30,000, although the PCB has yet to confirm the exact amount for this year’s tournament, whose first round concluded on Tuesday.

Last year’s top performers received central contracts; however, this year, such contracts will not be awarded. Instead, the PCB plans to offer contracts bas­ed on performances in the upcoming Champions Cup four-day tournament, a five-team tournament that will select participants based on their displays in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.

Player accommodations have also seen a downgrade, with participants hou­sed in three-star hotels, compared to the five-star facilities provided last year.

Many of the venues selected for matches are not typically used for first-class cricket, further contributing to perceptions that the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy resembles a Grade-II event.

Sources suggest that the PCB may have reverted to a six-team structure reminiscent of the controversial format introduced in 2019, which faced backlash for limiting playing opportunities as departmental cricket was phased out, leaving many players jobless.

The 2022 restoration of the PCB’s 2014 constitution had previously reinstated the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy as a first-class event for eight top regions, alongside the President’s Cup for departmental teams.

Compounding these issues, team managers reported delays in receiving funds for necessary arrangements, forcing many to cover expenses out of pocket or on credit.

Additionally, the PCB has postponed the national U-19 tournament after just one day of play in September, with no rescheduled date announced, even as trials are planned for selecting the U-19 team for an upcoming tri-nation cup in the UAE featuring Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the hosts.

When approached for comment, PCB’s director domestic cricket, Abdullah Khurram Niazi, stated: “The 2024-25 season will feature 60 first-class matches, with 49 in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and 11 in the Champions Four-Day Cup. While match fees for the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy have been reduced, they have increased for the Cham­pions Cup, which aims to attract top performers and enhance competitive standards.”

Khurram emphasised that the revised structure provides a clear pathway for emerging cricketers, from grassroots to national teams, expanding opportunities from 165 first-class cricketers across eight teams last season to 270 across 18 teams this year. He also noted the establishment of a five-member monitoring committee to oversee facilities during the ongoing tournament.

Published in Dawn, November 1st, 2024