Lahore (Sports Desk) — Pakistan’s departmental cricket structure has suffered another setback as renowned team Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) has decided to shut down its cricket team and release players due to financial difficulties.
After the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) set an annual fee of Rs150 million for departmental teams, KRL decided not to continue participating in the current season. The team management has informed players about the decision.
KRL officials said that ending the team was not an easy decision, but the increase in the fee set by the PCB created additional financial pressure, making it difficult to continue participating in departmental cricket. The management will formally inform the PCB about the decision.
Team manager Rizwan Asif said that players have been informed about the situation. Players who have received offers from other organizations are free to move, while the contracts of other players will remain valid until the completion of their agreed period. After the contracts expire in September, all players will be released.
He thanked the players, coaches, and support staff, saying that KRL will always value their services.
Meanwhile, reports have also emerged that WAPDA has not paid its fee, raising questions about the future of departmental cricket. KRL was established in the past with the interest and support of renowned scientist Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan.
Several major departmental teams of Pakistan, including PIA, UBL, Allied Bank, and National Bank, have already been disbanded. Sources suggest that further teams may withdraw due to disagreements between the PCB and departments over the fee issue.
However, PCB General Manager Usama Niazi rejected reports that other teams had not paid the fee, saying that only WAPDA’s payment was pending. The PCB had given departments a deadline of July 31 to submit the fee, while some departments had expressed reservations over the annual fee of Rs150 million.