Pakistan's chief selector and head coach, Haroon Rasheed, has reignited the debate on the country's cricketing decline and blamed the restructuring of the domestic system during the prime minister's tenure to the detriment of Pakistan's talent pool.
Rasheed’s comments, which are made on 11 September 2026, center on the decisions taken between 2018 and 2022, which saw Pakistan’s domestic cricket structure completely change. He said the reduction in the number of first-class teams cut into players’ chances and depth of ability in the national side.
From Numerous Teams to a Smaller Structure
One of the biggest changes during Imran Khan's reign was in Pakistan's domestic first-class structure. Rasheed said the system was reduced from teams in the range of 10-16 to 5 or six provincial sides and traditional departmental cricket was also discarded.
Rasheed said a task force had initially proposed a hybrid structure that would have kept departmental teams and provincial sides together. The government rejected this and insisted on a much smaller system, he said.
“You've to Listen to the PM”
Rasheed’s account illustrates the effect of the prime minister’s office in shaping the domestic restructuring.
He recalled that those involved in the process had recommended a more gradual transition. The final decision was to go to a very streamlined system. Rasheed's criticism is therefore not simply directed at one individual but rather the decision-making process that changed Pakistan's domestic cricket system in a big way.
Though the reforms were intended to enhance standards and provide a pathway to international cricket, Rasheed believes they did the opposite by reducing the number of players competing at first-class level.
India Offers a Contrasting Model
Rasheed also pointed to the domestic cricket structure in India as an example of how a country can maintain a broad talent pipeline.
India has various levels of competitive cricket (Ranji Trophy and Duleep Trophy) along with state-level competitions. That gives a large number of players opportunities to develop through sustained competitive cricket.
For Rasheed, the contrast is significant: India’s large and decentralised domestic ecosystem continues to produce players while Pakistan’s more restricted structure risks limiting the pool from which national selectors can choose.
Departmental Cricket Debate Returns
The abolition of departmental cricket remains one of the most controversial aspects of Pakistan’s domestic reforms.
For decades, departments and organizations provided players with jobs to play competitive cricket and with the opportunity to work in competitive cricket. There were criticisms of the restructuring, that these teams were stripping cricketers of a pathway for young cricketers.
Rasheed has now joined those calling for greater decentralisation and stronger regional and departmental involvement.
What Does It Mean for Pakistan Cricket?
The debate is happening at a difficult time for Pakistan cricket at the moment of high expectations in terms of poor performance and the development of the team and players.
Rasheed argues that international success depends on a solid foundation of the national side. If too few players are getting regular first-class opportunities, selectors have a smaller pool from which to select future Test and international cricketers.
His comments do not establish that Imran Khan’s reforms alone caused Pakistan’s current problems. Pakistan cricket has had numerous problems involving administration, selection, coaching, and player development.
But the issue of domestic structure is at the heart of discussions about how Pakistan can rebuild its cricketing depth.
For Rasheed, the answer is clear: Pakistan needs wider opportunities, more domestic competition, and more decentralisation if it wants to consistently produce international-quality cricketers.
