LAHORE - The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) School Cricket Talent Hunt Programme formally got underway, with PCB Chairman Syed Mohsin Naqvi arriving at Gaddafi Stadium to mark the launch of the initiative aimed at promoting cricket at the grassroots level and identifying emerging young talent.
During his visit, the PCB chairman met players from both teams and encouraged them to perform with confidence and sportsmanship. He also conveyed his best wishes to the young cricketers and urged them to make the most of the opportunities provided through the programme. According to Mohsin Naqvi , around 21,000 students from 1,400 schools across 100 districts will partici-pate in the School Cricket Talent Hunt Programme during the current year. A total of 2,895 matches will be played under the programme, providing school-level cricketers with opportunities to compete, gain match experience and demonstrate their skills in front of talent scouts and coaches.
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The PCB chairman said the board would continue its efforts to promote cricket at the grassroots level and encourage young talent across the country. The initiative is designed to broaden the talent pool by providing schoolchildren with a structured competitive platform and greater opportunities to develop their cricketing abilities.
Beaconhouse School made a winning start to the second season of the PCB Talent Hunt Programme for Schools, defeating Aitchison College by 20 runs in the opening match at Gaddafi Stadium on Satur-day night.
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Batting first after being asked to do so, Beaconhouse posted 244 before being bowled out, then dis-missed Aitchison College for 224 in 38.2 overs. All seven Beaconhouse bowlers claimed at least one wicket as their disciplined attack successfully defended the total.
Beaconhouse got off to a positive start as openers Aliyar Yasin Khan and Shehryar Bhatti added 58 runs. Aliyar scored 31 off 36 balls, including four fours, while Shehryar contributed 23 off 30 balls with two fours and a six. Aitchison fought back strongly, claiming three wickets in 23 balls to reduce Bea-conhouse to 69 for three in 13.4 overs. However, Abdul Rameez and Rai Ali Amjad steadied the innings with a 74-run partnership. Rameez made 37 off 40 balls, while Rai Ali Amjad scored 47 from 58 deliver-ies. After the partnership was broken in the 26th over, Yaqoob took charge, smashing 51 off just 41 balls with two fours and three sixes. Mohammad Adil added a brisk 28 off 17 balls, including four fours and a six, to help Beaconhouse reach a competitive total. Hassan Muddassar was Aitchison’s most successful bowler, taking four wickets 4-28, while Mughees Asif claimed 3-59.
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In reply, Aitchison struggled to build sustained partnerships and lost wickets at regular intervals. None of their partnerships exceeded 53 runs, although Sufiyan Siraj kept the chase alive with a 50 off 41 balls. Captain Daud Tauqir scored 39 off 55 balls, while Abdul Wassay added 32 off 27 deliveries, includ-ing five fours and a six. Umer Rashid contributed 31 off 43 balls, with a four and a six. With Aitchison at 166 for five in 31.1 overs, Zunnurain launched a late counterattack, scoring an un-beaten 42 off only 23 balls, including five fours and two sixes. However, with just 16 balls remaining, Zunnurain ran out of partners as Beaconhouse completed a convincing 20-run victory to open their campaign on a winning note.
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BEACONHOUSE 244-8, 40 overs (Yaqoob Khan 51, Rai Ali Amjad 47, Abdul Rameez 37; Hassan Muddas-sar 4-28, Mughees Wasif 3-59) beat AITCHISON COLLEGE 224 all out, 38.2 overs (Sufiyan Siraj 50, Zun-nurain 43, Daud Tauqir 39; Sikander Ali 2-34, Haammad Younas 2-39) by 20 runs.
Azhar Khan is an accomplished senior sports journalist with extensive experience in the field. He can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @azharmasood786
Azhar Khan is an accomplished senior sports journalist with extensive experience in the field. He can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @azharmasood786