New domestic structure to increase competition, encourage players: Sarfaraz – Sport

Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed praised the new domestic structure that is being presented by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday, saying it would encourage players to perform better.

"Everyone's goal is to improve Pakistan's cricket. Previously, it seemed that some players would have to stay out [from domestic teams] but of the teams that have been formed, it seems that this will not happen and most of the players are included in [domestic] teams

"Competition will increase and children will work hard and invest 100 percent to reach provincial teams," he said.

Ahmed, who is the captain of the Sindh provincial team, added that the national teams included players currently representing Pakistan in international cricket, as well as those who will play for the country in the future.

"I think this is a good combination; junior and senior players play together."

Ahmed was heading to a press conference at the Karachi National Stadium after a training session for an upcoming match between the Sindh and Balochistan teams to be played at the UBL Sports Complex on Saturday. The game is part of the first round of matches in the four-day first-class Quaid-i-Azam Trophy.

Earlier this month, the PCB presented a new national cricket structure under which the interclub cricket of each city will form a team that will compete in the interurban championship. The best players of the second level will form the respective provincial teams to compete in first-class events of the three formats from which Pakistan teams will be chosen.

Sri Lanka tour

In response to a question, Ahmed said Pakistan could only ask the Sri Lankan team to tour the country and added that in recent years, foreign players had received infallible security.

"Events have taken place in recent years and there have been no security problems," he said.

He also said that it was not necessary to remind Sri Lanka that Pakistan was the only team that agreed to tour the country when it was in crisis and rejected by international teams.

"Pakistan has always supported other countries on tours. Recently, Pakistan sent its junior team to Sri Lanka a couple of weeks later [the Easter bombings] occurred ".

Responding to a question, Ahmed said that while the PCB has made multiple efforts to revive international cricket in the country, the International Cricket Council and other cricket boards must also "support Pakistan."

The Sri Lankan cricket team is scheduled to tour Pakistan to play three ODI and three T20I games from September 27 to October 19. The next tour is now overshadowed by doubt, as the Sri Lankan cricket board said yesterday that it had received a terrorist attack warning and had been advised to "reevaluate the situation."

Misbah, Waqar has always been supportive

Speaking about the appointments of former captain Misbahul Haq as head coach and Waqar Younis as bowling coach, Ahmed said both former players "have always supported the team and will continue to do so."

I was optimistic that under the new structure, where the coaches of the regional teams will inform the national team manager, talented players will be able to reach the national cricket team.