Just over a year, ago the newly appointed CEO of the PCB held a press conference along with a PowerPoint presentation with an agenda to announce the newly introduced Regional structure in first-class cricket. The presentation was conducted in front of the members of the media with a presentation discussing the Financial and the operational framework in the newly introduced first-class structure.
It was a desperate attempt to justify his role as the CEO of the PCB given his presentation did NOT include the main backbone of a successful first-class system being club cricket. There was very little mention of the structure of club cricket and the number of grounds each club was allocated given he was addressing a country with one of the highest player participation numbers in the world.
He mentioned the luxury of regional associations being self-sufficient in the future through sponsorships and revenue generation. Given there was very little public interest at the grounds and no real multinational of note sponsoring the regional teams. Let’s just assume the presentation has NOT practically taken off as planned.
The main key elements to secure a good future in any sport are the school and club as well as underage 17s and 19s. The PCB needs to reverse engineer the process by investing heavily at grassroots and NOT first-class cricket.
So which system has worked?
Having witnessed the process of Talent identification, Sydney grade cricket, New south wales under 17s under 19s as well as school cricket in Sydney for the past 30 years I can very confidently state that the Lahore Qalandars franchise has ticked every box.
Having their philosophy based on selflessness and being fearless let’s look at how their brilliant model is unique in Pakistan which gives any ambitious talent HOPE, which might be the only thing missing for decades in Pakistan.
With every attention to detail analytical mind of Aqib Javed who’s main focus is at the grassroots level from talent hunt across the country which was by no means an easy task. It is often said that net trials are good for catching the eye of players first hand and this Player Development Program produced some real high-class talent.
Let me be clear of one thing, Selecting talent is only the first step towards the Athletic Development phase of the player. Lahore Qalandars state of the art facilities at their center of excellence makes sure players are then nurtured with all 5 key factors which make up an elite athlete being Mental Physical Tactical Technical and Biomechanical.
What is the point of difference at Lahore Qalandars?
The point of difference at this franchise set up is the outstanding support from the Rana Brothers in Sameen and Atif Rana who have Financial and operational back up to introduce a GREAT setup matching the systems of the ICC big 3.
What does a player experience at the Qalandars?
Provided a player shows some natural ability they are hunted through an absolute merit-based selection process. Players then participate in a televised event on a leading national TV for the entire tournament (this by the way I have never even seen in Australia). Players in Australia only hit the big screen when selected for their First class careers or the Big Bash League.
From the player development program, a squad is selected for the tour of Australia who then plays a triangular series here with the Big Bash League franchise. This requires a hefty budget through travel accommodation as well as daily payments of players on tour. Let me say this is NOT seen anywhere in the cricketing world.
The system has produced some top-class players in the form of Haris Rauf, Salman Irshad, Sohail Akhtar as well as little known Dilbar Hussein who is tipped to be one of the leading fast bowlers in the T20 league with his unusual relaxed approach being timed at 146km per hour as well as possessing an outstanding slower ball. Watch this name in the near future. This man is a real talent.
What is the main factor in the qalandars process?
The key to qalandars’ selfless and fearless process is they have dedicated their efforts to a player at their make or breakage. It is around the age of 16 to 21 where players in the subcontinent with mostly very little education and humble backgrounds quit the game without seeing any future in the game.
Lahore Qalandars process ensures the players at this stage have free access to high-class facilities as well as support staff where the players have a platform to re-install their self-belief and feeling of belonging to cricket is reassured with brilliant strategy from the Rana brothers and Aqib Javed.
What the PCB can learn from the qalandars?
- Invest at the grassroots and the rest will take care of itself
- Dedicate finances for outstanding talent from age 17 to 21 bracket
- Structure a nationwide talent hunt with an end in mind
- Reverse engineer the PCB process and like qalandars corporate sponsorship will follow
- Dedicate a thorough offseason plan for the players
Having lived in Australia for the past 37 years and involved in cricket I can safely say the Australian structure which the PM has hoped for might already exist at Lahore Qalandars where players have gone from tape ball to Big Bash contracts as well as played for Pakistan all in a matter of 3 years.
Developing and practically operating a system like Lahore Qalandars they have set an example for other sporting bodies around the world to follow their unparalleled system in which they ensure cricket tragics are given a merit-based opportunity to secure a future for themselves and their families.
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