Lahore: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to launch a Skills Assessment camp for 60 U19 men’s cricketers at the Inzamam-ul-Haq High Performance Centre in Multan, commencing on Wednesday, 18 June. The camp will be divided into three phases, each designed to evaluate and enhance the skills of promising young players in preparation for upcoming international competitions.
The first phase of the camp will host 30 players from 18 to 23 June, focusing on match-based skill assessments. The second phase, also consisting of 30 players, will take place from 25 to 30 June. A third phase will include 10 players who have previously represented Pakistan U19 and are eligible for the ICC U19 World Cup 2026. These players will join the camp from 1 July to the last week of August.
Players were selected based on their performances in the National Men’s U17 Cup 2024-25 and the U19 inter-district tournament. Those who participated in the recent Grade II tournament and meet the eligibility criteria for the ICC U19 event were also invited.
The camp aims to identify talent for the ACC U19 Men’s Asia Cup and the ICC U19 World Cup in Zimbabwe and Namibia. Throughout the camp, players will engage in match scenarios to allow academy coaches to assess their abilities. A final pool of 30 players will be chosen to continue training in the third phase.
Azhar Ali, Head of Youth Development, emphasized the camp’s role in developing a competitive squad for the ICC U19 World Cup. He highlighted the structured pathway designed for emerging players, focusing on skill refinement, fitness, and game awareness.
The first phase includes players such as Abbas Khan from Lahore and Abdul Ahad from Multan. The second phase features Ahmed Raza from AJK and Abdul Wahab from Hyderabad. The third phase will see players like Abdul Subhan and Ahmed Hussain, who have already represented Pakistan U19, participate in intensive training sessions.
The PCB’s initiative underscores its commitment to nurturing young talent and building a robust team for future international cricket events.