Former selector Haroon Rasheed blames Imran Khan’s domestic overhaul for Pakistan cricket decline

Former Pakistan chief selector and head coach Haroon Rasheed has attributed the recent decline in Pakistan’s cricket standards to the radical restructuring of the domestic system implemented during the tenure of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Rasheed, who served on a task force during that period, claims that a proposed hybrid model was dismissed in favor of a more aggressive reduction in the number of first-class teams.

The overhaul, which took place while the 1992 World Cup-winning captain was in office between 2018 and 2022, saw the domestic structure shift from a system featuring 10 to 16 teams down to just five provincial sides. This transition also involved the removal of departmental cricket, a move that Rasheed argues has negatively impacted the depth and quality of the national talent pool.

Rasheed recalled that the task force had suggested keeping eight teams to maintain a balance between provincial and departmental representation. He noted that despite the group’s advice to transition gradually, the directive from the Prime Minister’s office was to move toward a model consisting of only five or six teams. While acknowledging that the intentions behind the change may have been well-meaning, Rasheed maintained that the outcome proved detrimental to the sport in Pakistan.

Rasheed, who held various roles within the Pakistan Cricket Board including head of high performance and development before his departure in 2020, concluded that the current centralization of power within the PCB is a hindrance. He advocated for a shift in strategy that would decentralize authority and restore independence to regional associations and departments. His remarks contribute to an ongoing national debate among former players and officials regarding the most effective way to revitalize Pakistan’s domestic cricket infrastructure.