PCB Talent Hunt Gives Six Young Cricketers Chance to Train With Pakistan Team

LAHORE: (Sports Desk) – Six promising young cricketers from the Lahore region, selected through the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) School Cricket Talent Hunt Programme, visited the national men’s team training session at Gaddafi Stadium on Friday, gaining valuable exposure to professional cricket.

The initiative, launched under PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, aims to identify and develop emerging talent at the grassroots level. The young players, aged between 14 and 16, not only watched the national team’s preparations but also had the opportunity to bowl to Pakistan players in the practice nets.

The aspiring cricketers interacted with members of the national squad and coaching staff, gaining first-hand insight into the training methods, discipline and professional standards required to compete at the international level.

Pakistan’s men’s team held its first training session in Lahore after arriving from Rawalpindi, where the side won both of its matches in the ongoing ODI tri-series at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Pakistan will face England in the fourth match of the tournament at Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday, October 25.

Head coach Mike Hesson welcomed the young cricketers and praised the talent identified through the programme, particularly the quality and variety of their bowling.

Speaking to PCB Digital, Hesson highlighted the potential of the young leg-spinner and fast bowlers, noting their bowling actions, seam release and ability to maintain a good length.

He said the PCB had done well in identifying promising players and expressed hope that more young talent would emerge through similar initiatives. He also noted that senior players, including Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman, had interacted with the youngsters and shared insights into what it takes to become an international cricketer.

Hesson emphasised that success at the highest level requires more than technical ability, highlighting the importance of hard work and a strong work ethic. He described the talent hunt initiative as a positive step towards developing future national players.

The visit proved memorable for the young cricketers, who welcomed the opportunity to train alongside their sporting heroes and learn from their experience.

Abdul Rehman, a right-arm fast bowler, described the experience as special, saying that practising at a national stadium alongside the Pakistan team was a dream come true. He added that representing Pakistan remains the ambition of every aspiring cricketer.

Muhammad Husnain, a right-arm leg-spinner, also expressed his excitement at meeting the national players and bowling to them. He described the session as a valuable learning opportunity, particularly his interactions with Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman, who shared useful training advice.

The programme reflects the PCB’s efforts to discover young talent beyond established cricket pathways and provide aspiring players with opportunities to learn from the national team as they work towards representing Pakistan in the future.