Pakistan's Test struggles linked to departmental cricket shutdown, says Azhar Ali

Former Pakistan captain Azhar Ali said the abolition of department cricket in 2019 contributed to Pakistan's struggles in international Test cricket. "Department cricket is a big need for Pakistan...It was the biggest nursery for Pakistan cricket and today again it feels like it's being pushed out," he stated. Department cricket was reintegrated into the domestic structure for the 2023-24 season.