'There is a lot of professionalism here' - Mohammad Abbas rates County over Pakistan Cricket

Pakistani pacer, Mohammad Abbas, has been out of favour from the national team's setup for more than three years now. The 34-year-old, who burst onto the scene and had widely become prominent due to the consistent lengths he was able to hit in the longest format of the game, last played for Pakistan in August 2021.

During a recent interview, Abbas spoke on the promptness maintained by the England and Wales Cricket Board in terms of planning its domestic itinerary for the future, regardless of the format in discussion.

"There is a lot of professionalism here [in the English county]. You will see that from April to September, matches are held, including four-day matches, T20s, one-day tournaments, and even 100-ball games. But when the season finishes on September 30, they take only one-and-a-half months to announce the schedule for the next season. I believe that by mid-November or the end of November, they announce their schedule. This is my sixth year, and not even a second of the schedule changes. Even with the death of Queen Elizabeth, the schedule did not change, and matches continued," stated Abbas, as quoted by Cricket Pakistan.

The pacer, who recently completed his sixth domestic season in England, also praised the ECB for handling basic necessities for the players affiliated with the board.

"The grounds are available, including food, clothing, match fees, and salaries. Everything is handled with great professionalism, and everything is done on time," mentioned Abbas.

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These things should happen for the betterment of domestic cricket in Pakistan: Abbas

Abbas, currently representing Hampshire, contrasted the lack of the aforementioned amenities in the framework of domestic cricket in Pakistan. He also advocated for change by stating that the Pakistan Cricket Board should introduce a players' association.  

"These things should happen for the betterment of domestic cricket in Pakistan. There should be a players' association in Pakistan that can benefit the PCB because the PCB has to manage everything. But if a players' association is formed, it will address the players' problems instead of the PCB doing it. They can hold meetings and discuss the players' issues with PCB," added Abbas.

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One of the many chief reasons for Hampshire to finish second on the table in Division One of the recently-concluded edition of the County Championship was Abbas' 36 wickets in the 352.1 overs he bowled, at an impressive average of 24.25.