The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), under the leadership of Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, has announced a significant expansion of its school cricket programme across the country. This initiative aims to identify and nurture fresh cricketing talent from all regions of Pakistan.
This year, the programme will engage approximately 21,000 students representing 1,400 schools in 100 districts, with a total of 2,895 matches scheduled. The scale of this expansion is designed not only to increase participation but also to provide thousands of young players with the chance to demonstrate their skills and attract attention from cricketing authorities.
Both government and private schools are involved, enhancing the programme’s reach and inclusivity. Notably, the PCB has made deliberate efforts to extend the talent search beyond traditional cricket hubs to include remote and underrepresented areas. Schools from diverse regions such as Gilgit, Gwadar, FATA, Dera Ismail Khan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Larkana are actively participating, highlighting the nationwide scope of this initiative.
In addition to matches, the programme incorporates skills development camps across all participating schools. These camps focus on key cricketing disciplines including batting, bowling, fielding, and fitness. Experienced coaches from regional and district levels, including former and international cricketers, are involved in training the young athletes.
A critical component of the PCB’s school cricket initiative is establishing a clear progression pathway for talented players. The competition structure will advance from district leagues held between September and October, to a knockout phase involving 100 teams in November. The national stage will follow from late November through December, culminating in the national final scheduled for 5 December.
For young cricketers, this pathway offers more than just the chance to win trophies. Exceptional performers will have opportunities to advance into U15, U17, and U19 levels, as well as gain access to 16 regional academies and regional cricket teams. This system ensures that promising players from even the most remote districts can be discovered, assessed, and supported in their cricketing journey.
The expansion and introduction of new school-level tournaments under Mohsin Naqvi’s leadership form part of a broader strategy to identify emerging talent early, provide structured training and competitive opportunities, and create a transparent route to national cricket. The PCB’s goal is to make these opportunities accessible to every aspiring cricketer across Pakistan, not just those from major cities.
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