Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the launch of a nationwide schools talent hunt program aimed at identifying and nurturing young cricket talent across the country.

 

More than 60 PCB coaches will conduct trials in over 400 schools from 39 districts across Pakistan. Following the trials, a one-day tournament featuring 40-over-per-innings matches will take place next month among the participating schools.

 

The top 100 teams from this event will qualify for the Weekend Schools League, and the champion team will earn an international tour. According to the PCB, standout performers from the tournament will also get the opportunity to compete in the PCB Under-15 and Under-17 tournaments.

 

Director Domestic Cricket, Abdullah Khurram Niazi, stated that the PCB will fully fund the school talent hunt program. “This initiative will allow children to pursue their education while playing cricket,” he said, adding that PCB also plans to develop and revive 168 school grounds across the country.

 

Breakdown of participating schools:

Total districts: 39
Total schools: 405

 

Punjab (134 schools)

Lahore (30), Faisalabad (16), Sialkot (11), Gujranwala (11), Bahawalpur (10), Rahim Yar Khan (10), Dera Ghazi Khan (10), Multan (10), Rawalpindi (6), Sargodha (10), Sahiwal (10)

 

Sindh (82 schools)

Karachi (38), Hyderabad (12), Sukkur (8), Mirpurkhas (8), Shaheed Benazirabad (8), Larkana (8)

 

Balochistan (81 schools)

Quetta (16), Naseerabad (12), Pishin (10), Khuzdar (10), Lasbela (6), Loralai (6), Jaffarabad (6), Nushki (5), Killa Abdullah (5), Sibi (5)

 

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (68 schools)

Mansehra (12), Swabi (12), Peshawar (10), Bannu (8), Swat (8), Mardan (8), Kohat (7), Abbottabad (5)

Islamabad and GB (28 schools)
Islamabad (20), Gilgit Baltistan (8)

Azad Jammu & Kashmir (12 schools)
Mirpur (8), Muzaffarabad (4).