Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf and Mohammad Nawaz Mentor Young Cricketers at NCA
Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail
Pakistan’s leading cricketers Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf and Mohammad Nawaz recently interacted with promising young players during a coaching clinic at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore.
The session was organised as part of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) Talent Hunt Programme for Schools, which aims to identify and develop emerging cricketing talent from across the country.
National Players Share Their Experience
Young cricketers from Star School took part in the second coaching clinic, where they received practical guidance from Pakistan’s international players.
Haris Rauf focused on the fast bowlers and shared advice on pace bowling, while Mohammad Nawaz worked with the youngsters to improve their understanding and execution of spin bowling.
Shaheen Shah Afridi also spent time with the school’s pace bowlers and provided guidance to batters during the net session. The national players observed the youngsters closely and offered tips aimed at improving their technique and overall approach to the game.
Following the clinic, the young cricketers also had an opportunity to watch Pakistan’s national players train at the NCA.
PCB School Talent Hunt Programme Expands
Preparations for the second edition of the PCB Talent Hunt Programme for Schools are currently underway.
Training and preparation camps for participating schools began during the second week of August. The programme involves approximately 1,400 schools across 100 districts, giving young players from different regions an opportunity to develop their skills and compete at a structured level.
School Cricket Season to Begin September 19
The new school cricket season is scheduled to officially begin on September 19, with the opening match set to take place at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
The initiative follows the successful launch of the school cricket programme in 2025 and is aimed at creating a stronger pathway for young cricketers to progress toward higher levels of the sport.
According to the PCB, the second edition is expected to provide playing opportunities to around 21,000 schoolchildren.
The programme is being conducted with the support of the PCB and forms part of the board’s broader efforts to identify talented youngsters and provide them with access to quality coaching and competitive cricket.
