PCB Expands School Cricket Talent Hunt to 1,400 Schools Across Pakistan
Sports Correspondent:Imran Sohail
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has expanded its School Talent Hunt Programme, with the second season set to begin on September 19, 2026.
The latest edition will involve 1,400 schools across 100 districts, marking a significant increase from the programme’s inaugural season, which featured 450 schools from 39 districts.
The expansion has been undertaken on the directives of PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, with the board aiming to strengthen school-level cricket and identify emerging players from across Pakistan.
Second Season to Open at Gaddafi Stadium
Mohsin Naqvi is scheduled to attend the opening event of the second season at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
The curtain-raiser will feature a match between Beaconhouse School and Aitchison College.
The PCB has also arranged a musical concert featuring renowned singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan following the opening match. Entry to both the cricket match and concert will be free for spectators.
Programme to Create Pathway for Young Players
The PCB plans to use the school tournament as a platform for identifying promising young cricketers.
Players who perform strongly during the programme will have the opportunity to enter the board’s age-group and player development pathways, creating a route toward higher levels of domestic cricket.
The board has once again committed financial resources and personnel to activate the school cricket system across the country.
Trials and Training Camps Held Across Pakistan
Regional and district-level coaches conducted trials at schools in different parts of Pakistan to identify participating players.
Following the trials, training camps were organized for the selected schools during August and September to prepare teams for the tournament.
The PCB has also arranged alternative playing venues for schools that do not have their own cricket grounds.
In addition, several participating schools have received cricket equipment and playing kits to support their participation in the competition.
The expanded programme is expected to provide more school-level cricketers with opportunities to showcase their skills and potentially progress into the PCB’s formal development system.
