LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) successfully executed its first-ever nationwide School Cricket Talent Hunt Programme in 2025, engaging 405 school teams from 39 districts in 827 40-over matches. The initiative encouraged more than 5,000 students to participate in trials, preparation camps, and competitive matches under the guidance of district and regional coaches appointed by the PCB.
Initially, 2,939 schools expressed interest in the programme following its announcement in March 2025. After a thorough screening process, trials were conducted in over 400 schools to assemble teams for the 40-over tournament. The programme aimed to foster a sporting culture among students while offering a pathway toward professional cricket alongside academic pursuits.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi inaugurated the School Cricket Talent Hunt on September 23, emphasizing the importance of creating opportunities for young talent to progress from schools to professional cricket. He noted that the initiative would help students balance education with sports while strengthening Pakistan’s cricketing pipeline.
Following the district-level tournaments, the top eight schools from Faisalabad, Karachi, and Lahore participated in city-level 40-over white-ball competitions, totaling 93 matches. The finals in these cities were live-streamed and broadcast, with each winning team receiving PKR 100,000. The PCB has also integrated school-level performance with U15, U17, and U19 regional selections to identify and nurture top talent.
Top-performing students from the schools will be invited to join Regional Cricket Academies in 2026 to further develop their skills. PCB Director of Domestic Cricket Operations Abdullah Khurram Niazi said the programme’s success has motivated the board to expand from 39 districts to 100 districts next year. He added that the structured pathway from school cricket to the national team ensures a continuous flow of raw talent into Pakistan’s professional cricket system.
Parents and students have praised the initiative, highlighting the programme’s ability to combine competitive cricket with personal growth and opportunity, underscoring its significance for grassroots development.
