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Azhar Ali Links Pakistan Test Slump to 2019 Abolition of Department Cricket

Former national captain Azhar Ali has linked the recent decline in Pakistan’s Test cricket fortunes to the 2019 abolition of the domestic department cricket system. According to Ali, terminating the longstanding structure severed an essential development pathway and removed critical financial support for emerging cricketers.

What Happened

Departmental cricket, which first appeared in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy during the 1953-54 season and expanded through the 1970s, was shut down in 2019 under a domestic overhaul driven by then-Prime Minister Imran Khan. Ali met with Khan in 2020 in an attempt to oppose the closure, but the decision remained in place.

Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Ali indicated that the shutdown led directly to on-field struggles for the national team. In recent performances, Pakistan have suffered 13 defeats across their last 18 Test matches, currently ranking eighth out of nine teams in the World Test Championship table after finishing at the bottom in the preceding cycle.

While the department setup returned for the 2023-24 domestic calendar following a four-year absence, structural friction has persisted. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) excluded two departmental outfits, WAPDA and Sahir Associates, for the 2026-27 season because of new regulations that raised participation fees to three times their prior rate. Ali’s former domestic team, Khan Research Laboratories, considered withdrawing before committing to the schedule. Additionally, the 2023-24 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy featured eight regional squads, with departmental outfits relegated to a separate, concurrent tournament.

Key Highlights

  • Azhar Ali identified the 2019 closure of department teams as the primary cause of Pakistan’s slump in Test cricket.
  • Pakistan have lost 13 of their most recent 18 Tests and sit eighth in the World Test Championship rankings.
  • Ali highlighted the necessity of financial backing, noting even Grade 2 stipends of PKR 30,000 to 40,000 allow families to let young players pursue the sport.
  • The absence of experienced departmental stalwarts broke on-field mentorship and knowledge transfer for developing players.
  • Department cricket returned in 2023-24, but increased participation fees led to WAPDA and Sahir Associates being left out for 2026-27.

Why This Matters

Ali’s perspective underscores the unique socio-economic realities governing cricket in Pakistan. Unlike nations such as Australia or England, where players are actively recruited via formal youth setups, Ali explained that Pakistan does not lack willing players; rather, players require income to help support their households by age 18 or 20.

Beyond economic viability, Ali stated that removing seasoned departmental competitors dismantled crucial on-pitch guidance. Without experienced batters to build innings alongside young talents or veteran fast bowlers to advise newer prospects in match situations, Ali noted a visible decrease in game awareness and tactical understanding among emerging international players.

What to Watch Next

Ali advocated for long-term consistency from the PCB, warning that altering tournament frameworks on an annual basis disrupts talent development. Observers will be monitoring how the board manages domestic structures going forward, particularly after raising participation fees and operating regional and departmental teams in separate competitions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Azhar Ali view department cricket as critical for Pakistan?

Ali points to financial security through salaried jobs as an essential foundation that enables families to let their children pursue cricket instead of conventional employment, alongside the invaluable match guidance that veteran players offer on the field.

When was department cricket shut down, and when did it return?

The structure was abolished in 2019 under the administration of then-Prime Minister Imran Khan and was subsequently brought back into the domestic framework for the 2023-24 season.

Which teams were removed from the domestic setup for 2026-27?

The PCB removed WAPDA and Sahir Associates after both sides did not meet revised regulations, which featured participation fees tripled from prior levels.

Source: ESPNcricinfo via Crictracker.