Senior players upset over two-day camp for domestic season

The first round matches are scheduled to start in Karachi, Lahore, Abbottabad, Faisalabad, and Rawalpindi from September 14

PHOTO: AFP

Criticism over the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB’s) new domestic system, which is based on six provincial teams, continues to foster. Senior players from various teams have claimed that the two-day camp before the major event is inadequate.

Previously, training camps started a month before the event itself which helped players develop an understanding with their teammates along with preparation for the matches.

Meanwhile the coaches could gauge the fitness standards of the players along with the abilities of the newcomers. The camps in the new system would not be able to achieve the desired outcomes.

The first round matches are scheduled to start in Karachi, Lahore, Abbottabad, Faisalabad, and Rawalpindi from September 14. However, preparations for the event will begin just two or three days before the event which has caught the attention of the senior players.

The players, who did not want to disclose their names, believed that the PCB made such a schedule in order to save money through daily allowances.

"The players will have a hard time developing an understanding in just two or three days. The coaches will not be able to work on the player’s weaknesses as well. Quality cricket cannot be played under these circumstances," one of the cricketers said.

"Players through departmental cricket could earn upto PKR 50,00,000 through salaries, match fees, daily allowances and medicals. In this new system a player can only earn PKR 20,00,000 to PKR 30,00,000 if he features in all matches.

In these harsh economic times, many players will not be able to earn a sustainable income. If a player gets injured, he is likely to forfeit his entire income," he added.

PCB officials are blaming the late issue of notification, from federal cabinet, along with the delayed clearance from the courts that did not leave enough time to have proper camps. They claim this is circumstantial and not a means of saving money. Officials are adamant that the next seasons will feature longer camps.