HBL ‘demobilises’ cricket team

KARACHI: Habib Bank Limited (HBL) has decided to demobilise its cricket team, saying it will continue to invest in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

“To continue to invest in HBL PSL and in the larger interest of cricket in Pakistan HBL will redeploy its valuable resources from other avenues. This reinvestment will be partially achieved by exiting departmental cricket,” HBL said in a statement on Wednesday.

“HBL has had a long history in departmental cricket and recognises its valuable contributions to Pakistan cricket. Consequent to our enhanced focus on HBL PSL, the HBL cricket team will be demobilised. HBL remains indebted to the players of the HBL cricket team who over the years have served the cause of cricket in Pakistan so admirably. HBL will look after the interests of its cricket team members in line with its policies,” the bank said.

The decision of the country’s one of the major cricket units came just days after Prime Minister Imran Khan rejected the plan of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) task force regarding merger of regions and departments in Pakistan’s domestic cricket. Imran ordered the Board to come up with a road-map of the first-class season consisting of only six teams based on regions or cities.

And as was expected the repercussion of the decision has started. Having struggled for years in the first-class cricket, HBL did a glorious job last season when they emerged as champions of both the first-class season and the one-day event.

The bank, which employed some cricket greats in the past, including Javed Miandad, Salim Malik, Younis Khan, Shahid Afridi and Mohsin Khan, formed its cricket team around four decades ago. The contracts of its cricketers expired on March 31, 2019. They have not been renewed.

The prominent cricketers who were playing for the bank are Imam-ul-Haq, Umar Akmal, Fakhar Zaman, Faheem Ashraf, Imran Farhat, Umar Gul, Abid Ali, Imran Farhat, Abdul Rehman and Junaid Khan.

“HBL’s title sponsorship of the HBL PSL, over the last four years, reflects our passion for the development of youth and the discovery of cricketing talent. HBL PSL has given an opportunity to countless young cricketers to display their talent,” the bank claimed.

“This has led to an unprecedented talent pipeline for Pakistan cricket and has played an instrumental role in discovering players like Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Hasan Ali and many more,” the bank said.

“With HBL PSL, international cricket has returned to Pakistan. We are also delighted to see cricket facilities being uplifted in Pakistan and fans once again packing the stadiums to enjoy cricket,” it said.

“HBL foresees a great future for cricket in Pakistan where HBL PSL will remain a catalyst for bringing international cricket to Pakistan and enabling more matches to be played in the country. Moreover, HBL PSL will continue to discover, groom and nurture young talent for the benefit of Pakistan cricket,” it added.