The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially launched a nationwide Talent Hunt Program aimed at discovering the next generation of cricket stars from schools across the country. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi inaugurated the initiative at Crescent Model Higher Secondary School in Lahore, where the opening ceremony was held.
Opening Ceremony at Crescent Model School
The launch event began with the unveiling of the tournament trophy by Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. Players from Crescent Model School and Crescent Grammar School were introduced to him, and he also presented official PCB kit bags to the teams.
Speaking on the occasion, Mohsin Naqvi expressed his delight at returning to Crescent Model School, where he himself studied. He shared nostalgic memories of spending long hours playing cricket on the same ground and called it a proud moment to begin the program from his alma mater.
Nationwide Participation
The Talent Hunt Program will be held simultaneously in all provinces of Pakistan. According to PCB, a total of 391 schools are participating in the competition, including 175 government schools and 218 private institutions.
Chairman Naqvi emphasized that the initiative is designed to provide equal opportunities to both public and private sector schools, ensuring that young cricketers from every background can showcase their skills.
Objective of the Program
Naqvi explained that the primary goal of the Talent Hunt Program is to identify promising cricketers at the school level and prepare them for a professional cricketing career.
“Our mission is to search for the next cricket stars from the youth. We are confident this tournament will help us discover fresh talent that can eventually represent Pakistan at higher levels,” he said.
He further added that the program will not only promote cricket at the grassroots but also motivate students to balance their education with opportunities in professional sports.
Pathway for Young Cricketers
PCB announced that players who perform well in the tournament will not go unnoticed. Talented cricketers will be given chances to join the Under-15 and Under-17 regional teams, while the best of the best will be selected for Under-19 regional sides and cricket academies.
The board has also promised full encouragement and recognition for winning school teams, ensuring that their achievements are highlighted and rewarded.
Presence of Key Officials
The ceremony was attended by several notable figures including:
- PCB Board of Governors member Anwar Ghani
- Managing Trustee Mian Saleem Altaf
- Crescent School Principal Rabia Najm
- LCCA President Khawaja Nadeem
- PCB Chief Financial Officer Javed Murtaza
- Director of Domestic Cricket Abdullah Khurram
Their participation reflected the importance the PCB attaches to grassroots cricket development.
A Step Toward Expanding Cricket’s Future
The school-level Talent Hunt Program marks a major milestone for cricket in Pakistan. With hundreds of schools involved, it broadens the talent pool and ensures that young players from all corners of the country get a platform to shine.
By connecting education with cricketing opportunities, PCB hopes to create a balanced environment where students can dream of excelling both academically and in sports.
The initiative is not just about competition-it is about building future stars who could go on to represent Pakistan at the international stage.
