LAHORE: The domestic cricket structure in Pakistan is once again under scrutiny, with strong indications of upcoming changes due to growing dissatisfaction within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
According to reports, top PCB officials are not pleased with the quality of talent emerging from the current domestic system. Sources reveal that Director of Domestic Cricket Abdullah Khurram Niazi and Senior GM Junaid Zia are under pressure, although they have managed to retain their positions for now. Notably, both individuals were excluded from a recently formed committee tasked with proposing reforms—an apparent sign of the board’s lack of confidence in them.
The reform committee includes interim head coach Aqib Javed (who recently stepped down), former cricketer Wahab Riaz, and non-cricketer members such as Bilal Afzal (advisor to PCB chairman), Sameer Syed (COO), and Khawaja Nadeem (president of RCA Lahore). The committee was directed to submit its recommendations within five working days.
Sources indicate that Aqib Javed played a leading role in the review process, while Wahab Riaz reportedly sought input from former cricketer Salman Butt. Among the major changes being considered is a reduction in the number of domestic teams—from the current 18 down to just 9—in an effort to prioritize quality over quantity.
