ISLAMABAD: A nationwide cricket talent hunt initiative has been launched which aims at discovering and nurturing the country’s next generation of cricket stars. The Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, working alongside the Higher Education Commission, has partnered with Pakistan Super League champions Lahore Qalandars to launch this comprehensive player development scheme.
The groundbreaking cricket development program was officially announced during a ceremony in Islamabad, representing a major advancement in the government’s strategy to engage youth through sports alongside traditional focus areas of education, employment opportunities, and digital literacy initiatives.
Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, revealed that this cricket talent identification program builds upon the success of previously launched boxing talent hunt initiatives. The comprehensive approach demonstrates the administration’s commitment to expanding sporting opportunities across multiple disciplines while ensuring equal access for aspiring athletes nationwide.
The talent scouting program will conduct trials across 25 major cities throughout Pakistan, with the inaugural sessions scheduled to commence in Quetta on June 26-27. This strategic rollout prioritises inclusion of underrepresented regions, ensuring that promising young cricketers from all corners of the country receive equal opportunities to showcase their abilities.
Khan emphasised that the cricket talent hunt represents a transformative sports development initiative designed to create equitable opportunities for both male and female participants. The program underscores the government’s determination to revolutionise Pakistan’s sporting infrastructure through merit-based selection processes and transparent evaluation criteria.
Lahore Qalandars CEO Rana Atif highlighted his franchise’s decade-long commitment to grassroots cricket development, describing the collaboration with the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme as a historic opportunity to implement their successful talent-nurturing model on a national scale. The partnership leverages Qalandars’ proven track record in identifying and developing cricket talent.
Atif pointed to the success stories of Pakistan national team players Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf, both products of open trial systems and structured player development programs. These examples demonstrate the potential impact of systematic talent identification and professional coaching support for emerging cricketers.
The Lahore Qalandars executive also celebrated the franchise’s remarkable achievement of securing three Pakistan Super League championships within four seasons, announcing plans for the PSL trophy to tour the United Kingdom and United States as part of sports diplomacy efforts showcasing Pakistan’s cricketing excellence and international appeal.
Pakistan cricket captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, himself a graduate of Lahore Qalandars’ player development system, delivered an inspirational address during the launch ceremony. The fast bowler challenged critics who questioned Pakistan’s cricket talent depth, crediting Qalandars with proving such sceptics wrong through systematic talent identification and development.
Afridi encouraged aspiring young cricketers across Pakistan to seize this unprecedented opportunity, emphasising that the partnership between the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme and Lahore Qalandars brings professional cricket development directly to communities nationwide. His message resonated with the program’s core mission of democratizing access to high-quality cricket coaching and development resources.
Higher Education Commission Chairman Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed outlined the critical role that universities and academic institutions will play in supporting the talent identification process. The HEC’s involvement ensures that sporting excellence aligns with educational advancement, creating comprehensive development pathways for young Pakistani athletes.
Ahmed expressed confidence that this integrated approach, combining sports and education, will establish a holistic youth development model, providing participants with both athletic training and academic support structures necessary for long-term success.
Program officials confirmed that the cricket talent hunt will feature separate categories for male and female participants, with regional trials conducted at premier cricket venues across Pakistan. Selected finalists will gain access to comprehensive player development programs offering professional training, mentorship, and exposure opportunities at both national and international levels.
The initiative extends beyond pure cricket development, incorporating connections to broader youth empowerment programs, including Digital Youth Hub resources, employment placement assistance, and educational scholarship opportunities. This integrated approach aims to strengthen social cohesion and national unity through sports participation and community engagement.
The collaboration between the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme and Lahore Qalandars signals a new era in Pakistan’s approach to sports development, prioritizing systematic talent identification, professional coaching standards, and inclusive participation opportunities. With trials planned across 25 cities, the program represents the foundation of a broader movement to elevate Pakistan’s sporting achievements on the global stage.
This comprehensive cricket development initiative demonstrates Pakistan’s commitment to investing in youth potential while leveraging successful private sector partnerships to maximise program impact and sustainability. The nationwide scope ensures that talented young cricketers from diverse backgrounds and regions receive equal opportunities to pursue their sporting ambitions through professional development pathways.
Read more: Virat Kohli announces retirement from Test cricket after 14-year career
