WATCH: Former cricketer slams Pakistan's domestic cricket structure

Pakistan’s veteran batter, Sohaib Maqsood, has sparked a heated debate on the country’s domestic cricket system after delivering a blistering critique in a recent video on his YouTube channel. The former international cricketer, who represented Pakistan in limited-overs formats from 2013 to 2021, did not hold back in his assessment, arguing that the current domestic structure is failing to produce world-class players and is stifling the development of emerging talent.

Maqsood, known for his aggressive batting style, highlighted the key issues that he believes are hampering the growth of young cricketers in Pakistan. According to him, the domestic setup is flawed and lacks a proper foundation for nurturing talent at the grassroots level. He pointed out that despite a wealth of raw talent in the country, many promising players fade away without getting the proper opportunities to make it to the international stage.

The cricketer emphasized the need for a long-term vision that focuses on player development rather than short-term fixes. He argued that the country must create a system that supports players from an early age and offers them the right kind of exposure to prepare them for international cricket.

Maqsood didn’t stop at talent management. He also took aim at the deplorable state of infrastructure within the domestic circuit. He called out the conditions under which top players in the country have to train and play, claiming that the lack of adequate facilities and resources further hampers the growth of emerging talent.

The former Pakistan batter also pointed out the lack of continuity in the domestic system, citing the fluctuation in the number of teams from season to season. This inconsistency, according to Maqsood, leads to an overall decline in the quality of play, with many players failing to meet the challenges posed by modern cricket.

Furthermore, Maqsood expressed his disappointment with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for not doing enough to promote the domestic competition. He criticized the board for failing to secure lucrative broadcast deals, which he believes devalues the importance of domestic cricket in the eyes of both players and fans.

Maqsood’s comments come at a time when Pakistan’s domestic competition is facing scrutiny. The most recent Senior Grade Cricket featured 103 district and zonal teams, with over 1500 players participating across 255 matches in 16 regions of the country. Despite the large number of players involved, Maqsood remains concerned that the structure is simply not yielding the caliber of players needed to compete at the highest level.