Salman Butt differentiates Pakistan and India's domestic cricket structure

Despite not having services of many potent players, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has managed to name a strong squad for three ODIs and as many T20Is against Sri Lanka. This indeed shows the massive depth of Indian cricket and the credit goes to India’s brilliant domestic structure. Players get exposed to high-quality cricket at a very young age, which allows them to develop their skills.

However, the same thing can’t be said for India’s neighbouring country Pakistan. In an interaction, former Pakistan captain Salman Butt highlighted why India keeps on producing high-quality players and Pakistan is unable to do so. Differentiating the domestic cricket circuit of both nations, the southpaw said that India’s vast domestic season consists of many games and there are ample opportunities for players. However, there aren’t that many domestic tournaments in Pakistan.

Salman Butt hails India’s domestic cricket structure

“India have Under-23, Under-19, Vijay Hazare Trophy, Ranji Trophy, Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 and then they have Under-16. Now what they are doing well, there’s no one-day or T20 for Under-16. They are making them play the longest format in which the basic skills are being developed. And when you see the numbers in just these four categories, there are 1218 games and if you include women’s games, the figure goes over 2000,” Butt said in a video on his YouTube channel.

In Pakistan’s case, the former opener said that the quality of cricket has been dented after PCB reduced the number of tournaments. Moreover, the players getting dropped from First-Class teams aren’t getting quality cricket to play. “Numbers of domestic tournaments in Pakistan have been reduced. Earlier, we used to have had 6-7 events and there were opportunities. Players getting dropped from First-Class teams were shifted to Grade 2. However, they were still getting paid cricket,” he added.

“Now, however, cricket is less and financial problems are more. These things should be addressed. So, all these factors are the reason why you see the difference in players’ technique, application, and game awareness,” he asserted further.

As of now, both India and Pakistan’s national cricket team is in England. While the Men in Green will meet the Three Lions in three ODIs and as many T20Is later this month, Virat Kohli’s men will take on the host team in a five-match Test series, starting from August 4.