Zimbabwe Cricket join hands with Lahore Qalandars to launch PDP programme

Zimbabwe Cricket has made an exciting announcement about their partnership with T10 Global Sports and Lahore Qalandars in an innovative initiative aimed at discovering and nurturing emerging cricket talent. In this groundbreaking collaboration, Zimbabwe Cricket will be launching its first-ever player development program (PDP) within Zimbabwe, with the objective of identifying promising players who have the potential to become future cricket stars.

The program will involve trials that provide a unique opportunity for aspiring cricketers in Zimbabwe to showcase their skills and compete for a chance to participate in the inaugural Zim Afro T10 league. Qalandars have also acquired a franchise in this league, making Durban Qalandars their team for the league's inaugural edition.

This league will feature five privately owned teams: Harare Hurricanes, Durban Qalandars, Cape Town Samp Army, Bulawayo Braves, and the Joburg Lions. The Zim Afro T10 tournament is scheduled to commence on July 20, with the grand final set for July 29, and all matches taking place in Harare. The player draft will occur on July 2 at a grand ceremony held in Harare.

T10 Global Sports will work closely with Zimbabwe Cricket and Lahore Qalandars to ensure the smooth execution of the trials and provide comprehensive support to the selected players throughout their journey. 

Sameen Rana, Chief Operating Officer of Lahore Qalandars, expressed his delight in joining forces with T10 Global Sports and Zimbabwe Cricket to uncover exceptional cricket talent.

"We are delighted to join hands with T10 Global Sports and Zimbabwe Cricket in our quest to unearth exceptional cricketing talent. Lahore Qalandars has always been committed to nurturing young players and providing them with the opportunities they need to succeed. We believe this collaboration will pave a clear pathway for the aspiring cricketers of Zimbabwe to represent their country at the highest level as our PDP brought Shaheen Afridi, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf and Zaman Khan made their way into the Pakistan Cricket Team.”

In addition to their participation in Zim Afro T10, Lahore Qalandars previously partnered with Toronto Nationals for the Global T20 (GT20) in Canada. The current PSL champions will lend their coaching staff, led by Aaqib Javed, to the Canadian franchise. Alongside Aaqib, the full-time bowling coach Waqas Ahmed, fielding coach Shahzad Butt, and performance analyst Nabeel Edger Pace will also be part of the Toronto Nationals.