KARACHI: Former Test cricketer Nasim-ul-Ghani believes that discarding departmental teams by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) could be disaster for Pakistan cricket.

“It may be a small earthquake for our domestic circuit which could have serious implications on our national cricket,” Nasim told a group of reporters at Karachi Gymkhana here on Thursday.

He was responding to queries about proposals from the PCB regarding elimination of departmental teams with more focus and stress on regional cricket.

He emphasised without preparing proper replacements and financial implications, discarding departmental teams will be very dangerous for Pakistan cricket.

Nasim, 72, who was pioneer member of affiliating National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) with then Board of Control for Cricket in Pakistan (BCCP), said launching departmental teams helped in lifting the standard domestic cricket by providing financial security to players.

“The game cannot flourish without providing players financial security and benefits,” Nasim, who had the distinction of scoring first Test century from Pakistan at Lord’s, said.

He expressed his surprise that director domestic cricket Haroon Rasheed submitted the proposals on eliminating departmental teams.

“How come Haroon Rasheed, who was himself a product of the NBP and then UBL, can think of the proposals of discarding departmental cricket,” he wondered.

He said if the PCB was considering such proposals, they must first launch professional set-up like in County Championship of England.

“Without giving replacement system for financial security [to the players], the proposals of discarding departmental cricket will have a huge negative impact,” Nasim remarked. —APP