Habib Bank Limited (HBL) has formally bid farewell to domestic cricket to focus more on the Pakistan Super League (PSL). The long-time domestic cricket giant is currently the title sponsor of PSL.
The development comes in the aftermath of new domestic structure which will no longer involve any department in any capacity. Earlier, Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan had directed PCB to draft a 6-team regional domestic cricket structure like Australia’s Shield cricket tournament.
The exit of current Quaid-i-Azam Trophy champions will make things easier for cricket’s governing body (or tough – only time will tell)Â to chalk up the new domestic cricket tournaments.
HBL becomes the second team – the first after recent domestic structural changes – to quit after United Bank Limited (UBL) disbanded its cricket team last year.
The new domestic structure is raising eyebrows, not just among the fans, but former cricketers as well. Earlier, Javed Miandad had opposed the idea of regional cricket, saying that it will drastically impact the livelihood of professional players.
