Naqvi announces extensive club matches, future plans

 Naqvi announces extensive club matches, future plans

Asher Butt 

Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Mohsin Naqvi, has announced ambitious plans to organize 7,000 club cricket matches across Pakistan by July.

Talking to media here, Naqvi emphasized the PCB's commitment to revitalizing domestic cricket and fostering talent at the grassroots level.

Mohsin Naqvi affirmed the PCB's decision to prioritize domestic cricket upon assuming office. He highlighted the importance of starting domestic cricket promptly upon his appointment and expressed the PCB's dedication to expanding cricketing opportunities at the grassroots level.

While acknowledging the small scale of the Inter-College Ramadan T20 Cup, Naqvi assured cricket enthusiasts of larger tournaments in the future. He emphasized the significance of such events in nurturing young talent and providing a platform for aspiring cricketers.

The PCB has finalized the schedule for various cricketing events, including the Inter Club Championship. Naqvi encouraged cricket fans to gear up for upcoming tournaments, announcing the ambitious target of organizing 7,000 club matches by July.

Addressing queries about the selection of new coaches for the Pakistan national team, Naqvi disclosed ongoing activities in this regard. He assured that interviews would be conducted after shortlisting candidates, indicating a thorough and transparent selection process.

Naqvi also confirmed that United Arab Emirate's (UAE) Usman Khan's name is being considered for selection and that he will be part of the national squad.

"[Usman] Khan is eligible for Pakistan and he will play [for the national side]," Naqvi said while speaking to the media in Lahore on Sunday.

The PCB chairman's announcement comes as Khan, who made a mark in the Pakistan Super League's ninth edition (PSL 9), was last week banned by the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) over breach of contract and misrepresentation regarding his decision to play for the gulf side.

"Batter Usman Khan has been found to have breached his obligations owed to the ECB [...] Usman was found to have misrepresented to ECB about his decision to play for the UAE team and has used the opportunities and development provided by the ECB to him to seek out other prospects and it was evident that he was no longer wanting to play for ECB," the board said in a statement.

Naqvi reiterated the importance of grassroots cricket by emphasizing the significance of matches at Gaddafi Stadium and expressing satisfaction with the selection of 15 players from 10 teams for the next stage of tournaments. He emphasized that this is just the beginning, with more positive outcomes expected in the future.

Responding to inquiries about hosting the Champions Trophy in Pakistan, Naqvi expressed confidence in the country's ability to host the prestigious tournament. He assured cricket enthusiasts that the Champions Trophy would be held in Pakistan, instilling excitement among fans.

Naqvi extended gratitude to all teams participating in the Inter-College Ramadan T20 Cup, acknowledging their contribution to the success of the tournament and highlighting the importance of collective efforts in promoting cricket at all levels.

Meanwhile, the PCB has finalized the schedule of events for the PCB Challenge Cup and Inter Club Championship, signaling the resumption of grassroots cricket activities across the country immediately after Eid-ul-Fitr. These tournaments aim to promote talent development and foster competition at the local level, with a focus on active participation from clubs across Pakistan.

Grassroots cricket activities will kick off across the country right after Eid-ul-Fitr, signaling the PCB's commitment to promoting cricket at the grassroots level and nurturing talent from an early stage.

The PCB Challenge Cup is scheduled to commence from April 15 in all regions of the country.

Matches in the PCB Challenge Cup will be two days long, allowing teams ample opportunity to showcase their skills and compete against each other.

Performance in the PCB Challenge Cup will determine the selection of teams for the Senior Inter-District Tournament, highlighting the importance of this event in identifying and grooming promising talent.

The Inter Club Championship will run concurrently with the PCB Challenge Cup and is set to begin from April 20 across the country.

Both active and inactive clubs from all regions of Pakistan will participate in the Inter Club Championship, fostering healthy competition and providing a platform for cricket enthusiasts to showcase their talent.

In the initial phase of the championship, each participating club will have the opportunity to play at least three matches, ensuring equal opportunities for all teams to demonstrate their capabilities.

Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi has set an ambitious target of conducting 7,000 matches over the next four months, reflecting the board's dedication to revitalizing grassroots cricket and providing opportunities for aspiring cricketers to hone their skills.

Mohsin Naqvi, along with the Prime Minister's delegation, is scheduled to perform Umrah, underscoring the importance of spiritual engagement alongside cricketing responsibilities.

The announcement of the schedule for the PCB Challenge Cup and Inter Club Championship marks a significant step towards the revitalization of grassroots cricket in Pakistan. With a focus on promoting talent development and fostering healthy competition, these tournaments promise to unearth new cricketing talent and contribute to the growth and success of cricket in the country, said a PCB official.