'Why abolish a system you yourself are a product of?' Miandad asks PM Imran

E-Paper | July 28, 2026

'Why abolish a system you yourself are a product of?' Miandad asks PM Imran

Dawn.com Published April 28, 2019

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Hockey great Islahuddin Siddiqui (L) and squash maestro Jahangir Khan (R) flank legendary cricketer Javed Miandad. — DawnNewsTV

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A day after lashing out at the government for "ruining sports in the country", legendary cricketer Javed Miandad went on the offensive again and asked Prime Minister Imran Khan why he was trying to abolish a system he himself was the product of.

Miandad made those comments flanked by hockey great Islahuddin Siddiqui and squash maestro Jahangir Khan at a press conference in Karachi on Saturday.

"Me, Islahuddin, Jahangir [Khan] and Saleem Jafer, we are all the products of this [departmental] culture," said Miandad, who has been campaigning against Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) purported plans to scrap departmental cricket.

"This is the best system. When departmental cricket and sports were active, we were champions in how many sports and how good were we? I can tell you that if it wasn't for PIA, then it is possible the Jahangir Khan may not have been Jahangir Khan."

Miandad addressed his former teammate and incumbent prime minister, Imran Khan, saying: "You played in this system yourself. Did you not play county cricket in England? Do they not pay for playing county cricket? Were we stupid that we played there? We played because of money.

"This system was successful in Pakistan. Just ask yourself where was our cricket back then? We had world champions like Jahangir and Jansher because they had the PIA's support."

Miandad, who played under PM Imran in their triumphant 1992 campaign, said "I was expecting from Imran Khan that he would support sports even more [after coming into power]," adding that "there aren't any jobs anyway and then you're also laying off those who have jobs."

"What problem is there if banks pay a million rupees to a player but then he brings in Rs5 million worth of [advertisement benefits]?" he asked. "I am not against regional cricket but it can't work here even if it does worldwide."

Miandad advised the prime minister to listen to the people and reminded him of the many favours he had given to him.

"I ask Imran Khan to ask his own voters who is right on this issue: you or us," he said. "Politicians must be very wary of these things. If you do not listen to the people in a democracy, it will not be good for you or your party. I have never asked the prime minister of anything but I have done a lot of favours."

Miandad rued the state of sports in the country, saying: "The sports infrastructure is in tatters. There are buildings everywhere. There is nothing for sportsmen.

"The biggest problem in this country is the economy. No one here wants to play cricket or hockey, they just want jobs. They are helpless and are being exploited."

Sport

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Miandad blasts govt, warns PCB not to abolish departments

Dawn

Apr 28, 2019 01:32am

I think J. M. has point here.

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Marcus

Apr 28, 2019 01:34am

Times have moved on mr Miandad....plus how much are these depts. paying u to make such controversial remarks? Isn’t it time u stood by ur leader and support his ideas rather than undermine them? Plus the system u are talking about is a tried a tested failed product since the beginning of 2000. Its time for change. I agree with ik what we require is a complete overhaul of the company culture influence.

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Sab Se Pehle Pakistan

Apr 28, 2019 01:41am

I absolutely agree with the great Javed Miandad. Departmental teams is a source of income for hundreds of individuals. We can build regional cricket along with departmental cricket. IK please listen to Javed Miandad what he is saying makes absolute sense.

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Sam Beet

Apr 28, 2019 02:10am

Said the same Mr Miandad who did nothing but pocket the money after about a decade on the PCB payroll, after retiring from playing. Why is anybody surprised by the PM's decision? He was against the domestic cricket system, even in his playing days. Pakistan cricket is not competive enough domestically. This is why the players crumble under the slightest pressure at the highest level. Mickey Arthur and company should not have to teach/coach the basics to the players. Stuff like diets/ fitness/ professionalism etc should not have to be coached from a low base at the international level.

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Jalil Yousaf

Apr 28, 2019 02:16am

Naya Pakistan. Everything needs to be new.

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Hassan

Apr 28, 2019 02:23am

When did we have consistent best team?! Successful PSL is also not department based. Pros and cons be weighed but a mere statement that existing stars were result of domestic cricket is wrong. Imran played in Oxford and county cricket. Inzi hand picked. Name players produced from the system. System produced Fawad Alam but what happened?

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optimist

Apr 28, 2019 02:45am

Imran Khan was successful in cricket as he had great advisors like Miandad. In politics he has miserably failed as his advisors are not knowledgeable.

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Khanjee

Apr 28, 2019 03:03am

He has a point

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Uzair

Apr 28, 2019 03:05am

We won one, and Australia won tons. If it were me, I'd consider copy pasting the Australian system.

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suchbaath

Apr 28, 2019 03:14am

I agree with the Veteran's to keep departmental games on to bring talents out, and provide jobs. Still don't understand how Imran Khan started a controversial discussion, when his hands full of other critical decision makings.

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Laila

Apr 28, 2019 03:28am

He makes valid points, but this is how it is. It is very unfortunate, but that is how it is.

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Dr Ibrahim

Apr 28, 2019 03:29am

It is time we listen to our champions. These stalwarts have brought glory to Pakistan, just like our Prime Minster. There is nothing written in stone. Demonstrating flexibility and being accommodating is a great virtue.

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Ayesha Sadozai

Apr 28, 2019 03:33am

Sensible advice by Javed Miandad. But IK never takes any advice.

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Mohsin Malik

Apr 28, 2019 03:41am

Imran Khan used to bash Political influence in Sports and now he is doing the same. Why PCB is not under the control of Sports ministry?. Why PM is controlling PCB?. Similarly Imran Khan is interfering in other departments directly. Imran Khan is all talk and nothing else. I am with Miandad and with other sportsmen on this issue. The political interference and one man show of PM must stop.

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Raza

Apr 28, 2019 03:51am

Dear Miandad please forget about the real honest and dreamer IK of yesteryears. Now we have a highly compromised PM quite adjusted to the status quo.

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Seedoo

Apr 28, 2019 03:51am

It is not a corporation's agenda to provide jobs to sportsmen. The one and only goal of a corporation is to maximize return to it's shareholders through superior performance. World is a very different place now compared to what it was back in the 70s and 80s. Stop living in the past. Today, Pakistan's state run companies like PIA, Railways, Pakistan Steel Mills, etc. are teetering on bankruptcies, and you are expecting them to subsidize sports? You must be crazy

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Gorken D Jhanker

Apr 28, 2019 03:52am

You don’t have to be there Immi, listen to the men. Gorken D Jhanker Tambaktoo

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omair

Apr 28, 2019 03:55am

what a silly logic?

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Pak Patriot

Apr 28, 2019 04:05am

Javed Miandad where were you on the issue of " No Jobs & No Playgrounds " for the last ten to fifteen year's when the Land Mafia of Karachi, under PPP & PML-N Govt's converted Karachi into a " Concrete Jungle ". Are you expecting Imran Khan PTI Govt to change everything in seven months ??? Do you expect Imran Khan to give Sports attention before Economy, Jobs and CPEC ??? Where were you, when Karachites were locked up in their homes out of fear due to the Civil war in Karachi between " Millitant wings of ALL Political Party's especially the GANGSTER PARTY OF MQM " ???

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Patriot

Apr 28, 2019 04:35am

IK is absolutely not a product of Pakistan’s domestic systems. Do not misrepresent facts.

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Patriot

Apr 28, 2019 04:36am

Short sighted analysis.

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Abdul Karim

Apr 28, 2019 04:56am

It is wrong to talk about the goods of a system when we all know that this system is faltering. As we know that the collapse of these giant organisations due to corruption caused the collapse of all dependent entities like Cricket, Hockey, Squash and all other sponsored sports. So, replacing a rotten and collapsed system is a good idea and Javed Miandad’s reaction is unjustified because the system that is coming is not yet even known in its details.

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Nasir

Apr 28, 2019 05:31am

Making departmental sports competitive can be one answer, along with grooming players at the regional level. Have departments support regional teams, or have two simultaneous structures. Give amnesty to businessmen or tax break if they sponsor regional teams. Have private companies and state companies invest in players, infrastructure and give them tax incentives. Then have people support those teams. A hybrid system or a parallel system both can work and gradually change that to regional teams or league based teams. This is how you groom sports. Involvement of the private sector is important to groom sports.

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Kaiser.

Apr 28, 2019 05:37am

Miandad is right. Imran seems wrong even regarding this!

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Farhan

Apr 28, 2019 05:38am

County cricket is regional and imran never played departmental cricket in Pakistan, than how can he be a product of the system. He isn't stopping people from playing for money but thinks that departmental cricket is suffocating regional cricket and therefore only its abolishment would let regional cricket flourish. Why not make a hybrid where departments support a regional team like Wapda Lahore or Habib Bank Karachi?

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Omar Khan

Apr 28, 2019 05:49am

He is 100% Correct!!

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Ustazi

Apr 28, 2019 05:51am

Very true. Saying truth is the most difficult thing to do nowadays. These three legends proved why they are considered legends.

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Mohan

Apr 28, 2019 06:05am

“ biggest problem is economy”. Yes, true.... and also countries priorities should be set right. What is more important should be taken first. The country’s military spending, for example, should be at par with country’s of equal size ( GDP)— eg Bangladesh etc

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Fawad bhai

Apr 28, 2019 06:13am

Same reason why he is changing the political system that made him the PM.. Both systems are flawed and help corporates instead of its members

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Pakistani in New Zealand

Apr 28, 2019 06:17am

Sir Miandad is right.

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Ali Sabir

Apr 28, 2019 06:17am

System come and systems go.

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Ali (CA)

Apr 28, 2019 06:19am

Nonsense, systems are designed to be changed. Once, some of us were the product of British rule as well but we changed it.

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Dr Ahmad - Melbourne

Apr 28, 2019 06:34am

IK is acting as he used to during his cricketing days, total authoritarian and not to listen to anyone. IK behaviour and mindset is not democratic by any means. There is a big difference between selection and election. Great Miandad is 100% correct and brave enough to state the truth.

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fairplay

Apr 28, 2019 06:48am

Why not? To make it better.

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Javed

Apr 28, 2019 06:50am

Miandad is right. Tabdeeli is in reverse gear for sports.

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Apr 28, 2019 06:54am

You were the exceptions that came out of a broken system. Your services to this country are unparalleled but that doesn't mean the system works. They became legends in spite of a broken system, not from it. There is no consistency - if there was, why haven't there been more greats like Miandad, Jahangir, Jansher, etc.? Why is it that a country like Australia with much less population produces world class athletes? consistently? regional sports is the answer.

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DIGGER DOWN UNDER

Apr 28, 2019 06:58am

What a courageous statement from Javed Miandad, the legendary batsman and a wonderful cricket personality! The point Javed is making is very valid. As they say, it's the money, stupid. The sponsors of sport all over the world spend money on sponsorships to reap financial benefit. If a system which is universally prevalent and working successfully in Pakistan, why change it? Imran Khan, do not try to become Ganges Khan of cricket. I salute Javed Khan to raise his voice about the sport in Pakistan.

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Janikhel

Apr 28, 2019 07:06am

Pakistan's sports excellence became victim of "Bhungi politics" and " Chamar politicians" running the sports arena, look at Late Lala Ayub, who undertook the task himself leading to gold medal in 1968 World Olympics Gold medal for Pakistan and then it went down downhill, and no view in sight of stopping this trend.

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Sabbir Iqbal Mirza UK

Apr 28, 2019 07:10am

Thank u Miadad, Imran is not understand cricket and Government, both are mess, he created, people given him votes for democracy and people welfare, he is played for departments, due to these thousand of cricketers are on job, their children education, medical and monthly salaries, what a shameful his regionals are many will get jobless, I fully support departments, Imran is not putting attention on people welfare instead he interfering in crickety, which are too weak, he hired two dual citizen particularly one is 1992 old age Ehsan Mani + Wasim Khan ceo on huge salaries and benefit, Stand up all sports and players to oppose Imran khan old system time has been changed, from Register books, typewriters of 1992 to face book, Twitt, whatsup, email this is 2019, send these two non-residenty Ehsan+Wasim to their home and hire local made Pakistan officer, sorryt we do not need regions, Ehsan Mani and Wasim Khan.

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Concerned

Apr 28, 2019 07:11am

Imran is bad news now he is bad news for cricket also Sooner we realize this is better for Pakistan

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Javed

Apr 28, 2019 07:26am

This is the most ridiculous argument ever, of course you have to be a product of the social order you want to change.

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waqas shaikh

Apr 28, 2019 07:32am

I commend Javed Miandad for articulating his point of view

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Jay khan

Apr 28, 2019 07:35am

I think IK is introducing a system that will produce several Miandads, Jahangir Khans and Islahudin not just one as we did from departmental sports. IK has a vision and experience. Let him do what he is trying to do. Pakistan is needs a custom designed democracy not a conventional one you see in developed countries. A country with empty reserves and rampant corruption on every inch needs different planning.

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M Ramzan

Apr 28, 2019 07:38am

IK has no original ideas. He thrives on what is happening in England and Australia. Desperately behind in Brain Games.

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Banda Ajiz

Apr 28, 2019 07:43am

Rightly said.

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Adnan Mazher Khan

Apr 28, 2019 07:58am

I am with Javed Miandad.

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Ali

Apr 28, 2019 07:59am

stop the nonsense Miandad.

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Danish Farooqui - Holland

Apr 28, 2019 08:08am

IK is not understand how to rule country and how to manage PCB, all imported, 8 months passed no progress in Government and PCB, 800,000 are unemployed during PTI 8month tenure, same thing in PCB are many unemployed due to his regions and departments policies, due to his policies, prices increased, no jobs, same thing in PCB imported Chairman and CEO imported from UK.

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Newborn

Apr 28, 2019 08:37am

Miandad used to sing praises for Imran. Didn't take him two seconds to end his love.

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Syed

Apr 28, 2019 08:40am

Well said

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naji

Apr 28, 2019 08:55am

Miandad is 100% right what he and other are saying. May be some are misguiding Imran to defame him.

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Awais Chaudhary

Apr 28, 2019 09:00am

so if im a product of rape i should advocate for it? stop with these baseless reasoning. what is old cannot continue till infinity. the worlds history is based on change.

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Fazy

Apr 28, 2019 09:01am

Luck. Miandad is not the smartest cookie in the jar... Leave planning and strategy to those who think and care about the future.

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BYE BYE

Apr 28, 2019 09:02am

Many multi-nationals and local companies pay millions of rupees to sportsmen for endorsing their products. As advertising manager for BP Industries (confectionery) Karachi, I have paid hard cash (a lot) to Miandad and that product did not sell well due to quality control problems.

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Shan

Apr 28, 2019 09:18am

This is exactly the reason why Miandad is Miandad and IK is now PM :) your thinking defines your future.

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Cheema

Apr 28, 2019 09:28am

I believe departments should sponsor regions e.g. teams maybe like HBL South Punjab,PIA Balochistan.. Having regions will bring more fan following to the matches specially shorter formats which will benefit and bring more sponsors ,only top players will play if there are less teams leading to top quality cricket and better competition

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Mohsin

Apr 28, 2019 09:41am

Nobody watches department matches 1st time in my life I watched Pakistan cup . Always hear system is wrong in pakistan. When somebody tries to change it , Same crying people stops him. Like always visionary Imran Khan will be right and it will improve cricket in Pakistan.

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Mirza

Apr 28, 2019 09:48am

PCB should run Regional and Departmental cricket tournaments in the same calendar year. They can play Quaid-e- Azam Trophy on Regional and another tournament on Departmental basis. Similarly One Day tournament both Regional and Departmental teams can play together. Under 19 cricket should be played on regional basis to unearth regional talent.

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zeeshandxb

Apr 28, 2019 09:49am

"The biggest problem in this country is the economy. No one here wants to play cricket or hockey, they just want jobs. They are helpless and are being exploited." The last sentence that Miandad said, is the very reason Imran might be scrapping departmental cricket. He doesn't have money. Lets close all the shops and eat vegetables that are grown in the country now. Nothing else is left for Government to give to us and they have recently been very clear about it.

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Mohan

Apr 28, 2019 09:52am

There are many more changes in Khan. He is more and more choosing the spiritual path because the youth is now behind him.

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khan

Apr 28, 2019 09:53am

The feedback from great champions like JM, JK etc is always useful. IK will listen to them InshaAllah.

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Mohan

Apr 28, 2019 09:54am

ECL will soon become irrelevant since the US has started visa ban on Pakistan officials.

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Shah

Apr 28, 2019 10:08am

Pakistani sport is a failure internationally for the past several years. The 5th largest country with 220 million people has so mich more potential then what has been demonstrated in team sport and individual medals.

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Sixer From Chakwal

Apr 28, 2019 10:14am

Forget the passion and pride of 220 million cricket-crazy people who descend into disappointment or depression continually due to well below-par team performance, let's focus only on livelihoods of thousands of mediocre professional cricketers! Didn't expect this from Miandad.

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Hope786.

Apr 28, 2019 10:30am

Well said. He alone can win a match for Pakistan Miandad that is. 1992 World cup was won because of Inzamam ul Haq and Wasim Akram, IK was just a captain dying to take all the credit. Ik learned reverse swing from the legend Sarfraz never forget that. Comparing any other sporteman with Jahangir Khan is an insult, if he said old system is best then it is.

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Zahid Latif

Apr 28, 2019 10:52am

A person coming out of a system can only chnage the system since he knows the pros and cons of it. Miandad says that players need livelihood, but does not see why they need it. If the departmental system is abolished players will get more money and will be in a better financial situation

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Cricfan

Apr 28, 2019 11:01am

JM is right on the money!

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Shdhsn

Apr 28, 2019 11:03am

Wouldn’t it be more productive to have a meeting with the PM, instead of making statements in the media? All 3 of you are legends and would be a surprise, if the PM ignores your suggestions.

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Wow

Apr 28, 2019 11:17am

I am.very sorry dear Maindad you was one of my favourite batsman in the 80s and 90s. Here you are wrong. The old setup was indeed success and it provided us and Pakistan great legends in their respective sport. But now we must move on as the old setup is no longer working. You have already stated that. As the saying goes 'why fix something that is not broken', but here my friend all is broken and needs new life injected or else you will fall behind even more in the world. Our PM Imran Khan, is not trying to change the system because it suits him but he wants to try ans see if a different setup will bring a completely new culture of sport in Pakistan were public and players will support their regional teams from the bottom of their heart. This hopefully will bring at least crowds in the stadiums unlike currently there are zero spectators watch departmental teams playing against each other. For example in hockey if there were regional teams and the competition was based on a rivalry between Karachi vs Lahore or KL vs Multan, would pull a good number of supporters attending their matches for an evening or dat out with friends or family.

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Fair_Point

Apr 28, 2019 11:39am

He is absolutely right, just copying the Australian model of domestic cricket will not bring results. Every country has its unique way to flourish and Pakistan already has a successful model of the departmental system over the years which has produced legendary players.

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Abdullah

Apr 28, 2019 11:48am

Very nicely given the message, this is how to convey the message rather than shouting like others do. Imran Khan must listen to his advice, they are the legends of the game

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maxhar

Apr 28, 2019 11:49am

agree.... IK is run by ppl who have no idea about sports...

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Fahim

Apr 28, 2019 12:01pm

So people who do not study and would like to play want a job in different departments despite a rising unemployment among highly educated people?

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M Ramzan

Apr 28, 2019 12:36pm

@Hassan, yes IK knows best. Proof is performance of last 9 months. For people with eyes to see.

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RIHAAB FAREED DHARIWAL

Apr 28, 2019 01:19pm

Miandad has shown some backbone by criticizing PM Khan like this. I suppose he still treats IK like his teammate.

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Ram Lalla

Apr 28, 2019 01:33pm

It is not the system which has failed rather it is the people of Pakistan who has failed.

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Zulfiqar

Apr 28, 2019 01:37pm

As a spectator why do I care if PIA is playing Habib Bank? I have no interest or stake in watching the game. But now if Rawalpindi is playing Faisalabad, as a Pindiwal I would be very enthusiastic about the match and root for my hometown.

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Babar-I-Azam

Apr 28, 2019 01:48pm

@optimist, - if he listened to JM, Inzi would never been selected for the 92 WC squad or team...!

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Love Your Country

Apr 28, 2019 02:38pm

Another U turn.

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saqlain

Apr 28, 2019 03:01pm

@Patriot, most of the players 92 was from atchison school now which player is educated playing in cricket may be you can count on ur tips may be. give break Javid shab. now let us all move on. Jahangir khan is past what he made till date none. so move on find other job for your self.

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Haris Ashraf

Apr 28, 2019 03:15pm

In order to implement successfully regional cricket, you need to create interest in public to go and watch their city's Team. The PSL platform can be used to bring that up . I strongly urge PCB to implement regional cricket once they assess that crowds will fill in stadiums which can generate revenue for their respective region/city.

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Fahim

Apr 28, 2019 03:16pm

IK must have neglected JM in potential candidates list who were supposed to contest last year election on PTI tickets. JM, taking opportunity in downfall popularity of IK these days, lashed out at IK with the claims of lots of favours he had done to IK and wanted to make people believe that IK was indepted to to him from head to toe. Looks like it was not for dept cricket but a revenge by JM maligning IK in the name of dept cricket

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Hasan

Apr 28, 2019 03:20pm

Miandad is right. Good advice has come. The government needs to establish a strong Local Government System with the power to levi and collect taxes before abolishing existing systems. The priority should be to establish a functional local government system and tax collection. Everything else will follow.

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Aqdas

Apr 28, 2019 03:24pm

@Zulfiqar , county cricket also has empty stadiums 95% of the time. The main question to ask is WHO sponsors the counties and can the system be replicated in Pakistan?Until and unless this question is clear lets not create havoc with an established system.

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Ahmed

Apr 28, 2019 03:31pm

If the players will be compensated like they were by the departments, then it is a good idea. If not, then it is a bad scheme.

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Adnan Latif

Apr 28, 2019 03:50pm

There needs to be promotion of sports in general in Pakistan. Sports build character and people who do sports are healthy and fit. Sports needs to be promoted in schools and colleges. Heart disease, diabetes are some of the biggest killers in Pakistan. The point is not to win trophies or produce champions but to promote a positive mental attitude, team work, leadership and good health.

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enam

Apr 28, 2019 04:29pm

i dont agree with JM. old thinking

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Pakistani Australian

Apr 28, 2019 04:30pm

JM seems to be fearful of change. Just one World Cup so far with domestic cricket?? Look at how many Australians have. Usman Khwaja from Islamabad wouldn't have been Usman Khwaja if he went through Pakistan's domestic cricket. Jahangir Khan and Jansher Khan were just two men and then years of lapse to this day. I think many great players were produced in the past due to patriotic reasons in a newly formed country, and family history of sports combined. It can't work any longer. JM himself is an exception. No more JMs either in a long time.

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Faisal

Apr 28, 2019 04:32pm

With that logic, why should we change the country we're born into? IK isn't blindly changing the system. The precedence exists in the form of Australia.

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Mani

Apr 28, 2019 04:50pm

There should be an audit of what Miandad accomplished as Director-PCB. He failed badly. Playing cricket and managing cricket are two different aspects. Public interest, crowds at stadium, TV coverage are vital for the sport's growth. Please understand a match between PIA VS. Habib Bank interests no one. Domestic cricket is a flop in Pakistan. Something needs to be done to make it better. IK's idea seems like a good plan.

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Jehengir khan

Apr 28, 2019 05:18pm

Government interference on private affairs is a horrible thing.....moreover, if history has taught us anything then government should stay away from managing sports in the country.....nepotism culture will flourish with growing government influence....

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Tariq

Apr 28, 2019 05:31pm

None of the other cricket playing countries have department cricket teams but they still win tournaments and the players still survive and thrive.

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Apr 28, 2019 05:57pm

He is 100 percent right.

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Anees A.

Apr 28, 2019 07:53pm

The very definition of a good system is to have consistent results and be repeatable. How come we don't have more Jahangir Khan's and Islahuddin's.

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Asif

Apr 28, 2019 08:03pm

@optimist, Imran Khan was introduced through cricket by his cousin Majid Khan. He didnt come through departments.

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Syed Arif Hussain Zahidi

Apr 28, 2019 08:07pm

I agree with Miandad.

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Adnan Zaka

Apr 28, 2019 08:52pm

Both systems should continue.

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Rajan Mahadevan

Apr 29, 2019 02:39am

Sorry Javed your comment is illogical. Just because Imran is a product of the system it does not mean the system is good. Even with poor systems, some people will manage to rise to the top not because of the system but in spite of the system. Rajan

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Rajan Mahadevan

Apr 29, 2019 07:48am

IK's motives a good for Pakistan cricket but may not be practical to implement straight away. Departmental teams is so deeply rooted in Pakistani cricketing culture and any changes have to come slowly. Perhaps one solution would be to reduce the number of departmental teams that play first class cricket in Pakistan? That would be a compromise between the IK and JM positions. Rajan

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Jackal

Apr 29, 2019 03:38pm

Miandad is on point here. Under the guise of Naya Pakistan, IK should not change institutions that are beneficial. Not all reforms are good.

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Adil Jadoon

Apr 29, 2019 03:43pm

Cause the system missed a 100 more capable players. Utterly rubbish question to ask.

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ahsan7979

Apr 29, 2019 06:06pm

Where is Cricket, Squash and Hockey today in Pakistan, from where it was? System needs change...

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SadFaces

Apr 29, 2019 06:53pm

Removing it would mean that all our structure would be run by retired generals.

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Omar

Apr 29, 2019 07:11pm

Departmental cricket has very low ceiling.Low revenue growth ( if any YOY). Its basically a marketing effort by the companies to promote products. Product like PSL is where the future of cricket is headed. The amount of money, and general interest in cricket can never be replicated by matches between teams like WAPDA vs PIA.

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Fawad Alam

Apr 29, 2019 08:21pm

The objective of first class cricket should be to provide players to play for the national team not a safety net for the unemployed. This policy needs to be looked at in the larger context. If you make first class cricket competitive fans will come to watch the games. At the moment no one watches first class cricket because no one is interested in watching a bank play an airline. Providing jobs is the objective of the government not departmental first class cricket teams.

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azam khan

Apr 29, 2019 09:01pm

Mr. Miandad should understand that the economy is the main issue right now. Ik & his government is bending backwards to put it right. I think regional cricket should be given a chance, we've never tried it. Departmental cricket should also run parallel to this. There is no need to become personal.

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Algoritmi

Apr 29, 2019 10:35pm

i think people are missing point and divided in two groups IK vs JM. All these players are legends and we should respect them as well as their opinion without being emotional. They should sit together and see how they can improve sports condition and financial situation of a sports person so that players can fully focus on sports.

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Jigar

Apr 29, 2019 10:39pm

Javed bhai's argument is about job security for players and earning a living through the departmental system. No harm with that. He supports this argument with some of the accomplishments of past players who have come through this system. Its just that his tone is unprofessional.Wasim Akram has also highlighted Austrailian system is based on a smaller population. I guess the bottom line is where will the funds come from, what happens to players who don't make first team. There needs to be more information about IKs proposals from PCB. However, PCB are too busy fighting eachother.

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Abdul Rahman

Apr 30, 2019 12:22am

Who ever is for department or private business sponsored sport program. You should support the team by buying tickets and buying their endorsed products. Let private company do their job, which is to create products and services not conduct sports tournaments.

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Malik

Apr 30, 2019 04:24am

Regional or city based cricket may have it's benefits but the hard truth is that players need to be paid a salary so that they can play the sport full time. The departments and organizations do this as part of their corporate branding. Who will shoulder the payments to players in regional cricket, at least in the short run it will be near impossible to line up sufficient funds through govt grants, advertisement etc. Why does the government want to dismantle the system at this stage is beyond reason.

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Imran Khan

Apr 30, 2019 06:18am

Miandad is next in PML

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Illawarrior

Apr 30, 2019 08:18am

@M, A major contributing factor to Australia's sporting success is the proliferation of junior sport. By the age of 7, the majority of Australian children, both boys and girls, are involved in some sort of organised sport, be it cricket, soccer, rugby league, swimming, surfing, athletics, netball, basketball, hockey etc. These junior sporting clubs run on the volunteer labour of the parents, who actively undertake fundraising activities to help meet expenses. Also, local government often subsidise the junior clubs, by offering reduced fees for access to sporting facilities, and providing small cash grants. It is a community thing.

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