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PCB launches open trials for women cricketers nationwide

The trials will be conducted in two phases

PCB launches open trials for women cricketers nationwide PHOTO: PCB

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is launching a nationwide initiative to identify grassroots talent by holding open trials for women cricketers starting August 5. This initiative includes the first-ever open trials in the picturesque Sost Valley in Gilgit-Baltistan, a region renowned for its stunning landscapes and enthusiastic cricket fans.

The trials will be conducted in two phases. The first phase will take place from August 5 to August 7 in Gilgit, Hunza, and Sost. The second phase is scheduled from August 21 to September 3. If inclement weather disrupts the trials in any city, they will be rescheduled to September 4 and 5.

Asad Shafiq and Batool Fatima, members of the women’s national selection committee, will oversee the trials. During the second phase, players will have the opportunity to register online for participation.

Asad Shafiq highlighted the PCB’s commitment to uncovering talent from all regions, ensuring that deserving players get the chance to represent domestic teams, potentially leading to national team selection.

“These trials will help the selectors discover and develop the next generation of women’s cricketers. We are keen to ensure that talent from every corner of the country gets a fair chance to shine. This process will enable them to represent domestic teams, ultimately leading them to play for the national sides in the future,” Shafiq was quoted as saying by the PCB.

“The open trials are a crucial step in our efforts to nurture young talent. We are excited to see the future stars of women's cricket come forward and showcase their potential. I will urge all parents to support their daughters in pursuing their cricket dreams by helping them participate in the nationwide selection trials,” Batool Fatima said.

Schedule for Trials:

First phase:

Aug 5 – Venue: Cricket Ground for Girls Cricket at Public Schools and Colleges, Gilgit. Selectors: Asad Shafiq and Batool Fatima

Aug 6 – Venue: Boys Degree College Ground, Hunza. Selectors: Asad Shafiq and Batool Fatima

Aug 7 – Venue: Sost Valley, Hussainabad Cricket Ground, Hunza. Selectors: Asad Shafiq and Batool Fatima

Second phase:

Aug 21 – Venue: Hanif Mohammad High Performance Centre, Karachi. Selector: Asad Shafiq

Aug 22 – Venue: Jinnah Stadium, Gujranwala. Selector: Batool Fatima

Aug 23 – Venue: Crescent Cricket Ground, Sialkot. Selector: Asad Shafiq

Aug 26 – Venue: LCCA, Lahore. Selectors: Asad Shafiq and Batool Fatima

Aug 27 – Venue: Saeed Ajmal Academy, Faisalabad. Selector: Batool Fatima; Venue: Qayyum Stadium, Peshawar. Selector: Asad Shafiq

Aug 28 – Venue: Mardan Sports Complex, Mardan. Selector: Asad Shafiq

Aug 29 – Venue: Abbottabad Stadium, Abbottabad. Selector: Asad Shafiq; Venue: Bugti Stadium, Quetta. Selector: Batool Fatima

Aug 30 – Venue: Viqar Un Nisa College, Rawalpindi. Selector: Asad Shafiq

Sept 2 – Venue: Inzamam ul Haq High Performance Centre, Multan. Selector: Batool Fatima

Sept 3 – Venue: Women Sports Stadium, Bahawalpur. Selector: Batool Fatima