PCB to conduct first-ever women trials in Sost

Lahore: The Pakistan Cricket Board in an effort to unearth talent at the grassroots level is all set to organise open trials for women across country from Monday, 5 August.

Among the 14 cities, PCB will host first-ever women’s cricket trials in the Sost Valley, a region known for its picturesque landscapes and passionate cricketing community.

The initiative highlights PCB's commitment to explore women’s talent in far-flung areas.

The trials will be held in two phases, with Gilgit, Hunza and Sost hosting trials from 5 to 7 August, while the second phase will begin from 21 August and will conclude on 3 September.

In case of rain on any given date of the trials, the trials of the respective city will be conducted between 4 to 5 September.

Former international cricketers Asad Shafiq and Batool Fatima – members of the women’s national selection committee - will hold the trials across the country. It will include two categories – U19 and emerging. Players born on or after 1 September 2005 are eligible for U19 trials.

In the second phase, players can register themselves for the trials by filling the form online, which will be available in due course. The players will be required to bring their filled forms with both original and copy of Birth certificates/Bforms/CNIC to the trials. For convenience of players, they can get themselves registered at the ground as well.

Former Test cricketer and member of the selection committee Asad Shafiq:

“These trials will help the selectors to 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.”

Former wicketkeeper-batter and member of the selection committee Batool Fatima:

“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 participating in the nationwide selection trials.”

The following is the schedule of trials:

First phase:

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

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

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

Second phase:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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