Muhammad Aatif Ismail Multan, Oct 18 (APP):For a few weeks each year, ordinary agricultural fields in the villages of South Punjab undergo a remarkable transformation. The land that usually waits for the next crop becomes a cricketing arena, where makeshift pitches are prepared, boundaries are marked and young players gather with dreams far bigger than the fields on which they play. In villages where proper cricket grounds remain scarce, temporarily …
Lack of cricket grounds spurs new trend of tournaments on agricultural land
Muhammad Aatif Ismail
Multan, Oct 18 (APP):For a few weeks each year, ordinary agricultural fields in the villages of South Punjab undergo a remarkable transformation. The land that usually waits for the next crop becomes a cricketing arena, where makeshift pitches are prepared, boundaries are marked and young players gather with dreams far bigger than the fields on which they
play.
In villages where proper cricket grounds remain scarce, temporarily vacant farmland has become an unlikely home for the sport.
With permission from farmers and landowners, young enthusiasts transform agricultural plots into makeshift grounds, organize local tournaments and invite teams from neighboring villages.
When the competitions end, the wickets are dismantled, the crowds disperse and the land returns to its agricultural purpose.
Yet, beneath this inspiring display of community spirit lies a troubling reality: a shortage of sports infrastructure continues to force rural youngsters to borrow fields simply to pursue their passion for cricket.
“There are no proper cricket grounds in our village, which creates serious difficulties for us and prevents local talent from emerging,” said Rana Muhammad Arif, a cricketer from Chak 232-EB, Vehari.
He added that young players in many parts of South Punjab faced similar challenges.
His concern echoes the frustration of countless aspiring cricketers whose ambitions often collide with the absence of basic playing facilities. In villages where suitable grounds are unavailable, even regular practice becomes a challenge, leaving talented youngsters with limited opportunities to sharpen their skills, compete at higher levels and earn
recognition.
Muhammad Dilawar, a resident of Basti Nau, Multan, said village youngsters had found a practical way to keep their sporting dreams alive. They approach farmers, landowners and influential community members to seek temporary permission to use vacant agricultural land.
With their cooperation, they prepare pitches, mark boundaries and arrange tournaments that generally last 15 to 20 days, sometimes extending beyond a month.
What begins as a makeshift arrangement often grows into a celebration of village life. Teams arrive from surrounding settlements, spectators gather along the boundaries, and the sound of bat striking ball brings the fields alive.
For a brief period, these otherwise quiet stretches of farmland become centers of excitement, rivalry and collective
pride.
Dilawar said such competitions gave young players an opportunity to display their abilities, test themselves against unfamiliar opponents and experience organized cricket without travelling long distances in search of suitable grounds.
Muhammad Naveed, another cricket enthusiast, said community cooperation had become essential to sustaining the game in areas lacking permanent facilities. Village elders, nambardars and influential landowners often helped by making land available until farming activities resumed.
Similar tournaments have recently been held in Chak 31 of Vehari district, while competitions in Chak 69 of Mailsi tehsil have become a regular annual feature, according to Muhammad Ramzan, a coach and sponsor of a local cricket club.
These events demonstrate how rural communities are mobilizing their limited resources to keep cricket alive despite the absence of dedicated playing fields.
Tennis-ball cricket has further strengthened the popularity of these tournaments. Its relatively low cost and flexible arrangements allow youngsters from different economic backgrounds to participate without the expense associated with more formal competitions.
Local businesses and individual sponsors frequently contribute towards equipment, prizes and other tournament expenses. Overseas Pakistanis who retain close ties with their hometowns also play an important role in supporting these activities, helping village competitions continue despite limited financial resources.
Beyond the boundaries, however, the tournaments offer something even more valuable than sporting entertainment. They bring communities together, encourage teamwork and healthy competition, and give youngsters a constructive outlet for their energy.
Representing one’s village before an enthusiastic crowd can build confidence, strengthen friendships and inspire players to pursue the game more seriously.
But when the final ball is bowled and the temporary wickets are pulled apart, an uncomfortable question remains: why should young cricketers in a region so passionate about the game have to depend on borrowed agricultural land to play it?.
Temporary grounds may provide an immediate solution, but they cannot replace permanent facilities that remain accessible throughout the year. Without reliable playing surfaces, aspiring cricketers struggle to practice consistently, improve their performance and participate in structured competitions.
Their talent may be visible to an entire village, yet remain beyond the reach of coaches, talent scouts and formal cricket pathways.
The responsibility now rests with the government and local administrations to turn this grassroots enthusiasm into a lasting sporting opportunity. Suitable public land could be identified for village-level cricket grounds, with basic facilities developed in consultation with local communities.
Schools, sports departments, local governments and private sponsors could work together to establish affordable playing spaces.
Transparent partnerships could also encourage overseas Pakistanis and local philanthropists to invest in village sports projects. Even modest improvements to playing surfaces and basic facilities could benefit generations of youngsters, replacing temporary arrangements with permanent opportunities.
For now, the cricket grounds of South Punjab remain temporary creations carved out of agricultural land. When the tournaments end, spectators return home, the wickets disappear and farmers prepare their fields for the next crop. The cheers fade, the boundaries vanish and the game gives way to the demands of the soil.
But the dreams born on those fields do not disappear with the last match.
Behind every makeshift pitch stands a generation of young players waiting for a fair chance to prove itself. Providing permanent cricket grounds would mean more than laying a pitch or marking a boundary.
It would mean recognizing rural talent, investing in young people and ensuring that a shortage of facilities does not decide the limits of their ambitions.
South Punjab’s youngsters have already shown that passion can turn farmland into a sporting arena. The challenge now is for the authorities to ensure that their dreams no longer have to depend on the next vacant field.
