The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Sunday its plans to host open trials for women cricketers for the first time in the picturesque and remote village of Sost. This initiative underscores the board’s commitment to uncovering talent in Pakistan’s far-flung areas.
Sost, situated in the mountainous northern Gilgit-Baltistan region, is the final town on the high-altitude Karakoram Highway linking Pakistan and China. The PCB will hold open trials for women at the grassroots level in 14 cities across the country from Monday, August 5, to September 3.
“Among the 14 cities, the PCB will conduct the first-ever women’s cricket trials in the Sost Valley, a region famed for its breathtaking landscapes and passionate cricketing community,” the board stated. “This initiative highlights the PCB’s dedication to discovering women’s talent in remote locations.”
The trials will occur in two phases. The first phase will be held from August 5-7 in the Gilgit, Hunza, and Sost regions. The second phase will run from August 21 to September 3. In the event of rain disrupting any scheduled trial, make-up dates are set for September 4 and 5.
“Former international cricketers Asad Shafiq and Batool Fatima, members of the women’s national selection committee, will oversee the trials across the country,” the board added. The trials will feature two categories: U19 and emerging, with players born on or after September 1, 2005, eligible for the U19 category.
“These trials are crucial for identifying and nurturing the next generation of women cricketers,” Shafiq said. “We are committed to ensuring that talent from every corner of the country has an equal opportunity to shine.” He emphasized that the selection process would help players secure spots on domestic teams, potentially leading to national team opportunities in the future.
Fatima called the open trials “a significant step” in fostering young talent. “We are eager to witness the emergence of future stars in women’s cricket,” she said. “I encourage all parents to support their daughters in pursuing their cricket dreams by participating in these nationwide selection trials.”
Schedule
First Phase:
- August 5 – Venue: Cricket Ground for Girls Cricket, Public Schools and Colleges, Gilgit. Selectors: Asad Shafiq and Batool Fatima
- August 6 – Venue: Boys Degree College Ground, Hunza. Selectors: Asad Shafiq and Batool Fatima
- August 7 – Venue: Hussainabad Cricket Ground, Sost Valley, Hunza. Selectors: Asad Shafiq and Batool Fatima
Second Phase:
- August 21 – Venue: Hanif Mohammad High Performance Centre, Karachi. Selector: Asad Shafiq
- August 22 – Venue: Jinnah Stadium, Gujranwala. Selector: Asad Shafiq
- August 23 – Venue: Crescent Cricket Ground, Sialkot. Selector: Asad Shafiq
- August 26 – Venue: LCCA Ground, Lahore. Selectors: Asad Shafiq and Batool Fatima
- August 27 – Venue: Saeed Ajmal Academy, Faisalabad. Selector: Batool Fatima; Venue: Qayyum Stadium, Peshawar. Selector: Asad Shafiq
- August 28 – Venue: Mardan Sports Complex, Mardan. Selector: Asad Shafiq
- August 29 – Venue: Abbottabad Stadium, Abbottabad. Selector: Asad Shafiq; Venue: Bugti Stadium, Quetta. Selector: Batool Fatima
- August 30 – Venue: Viqar Un Nisa College, Rawalpindi. Selector: Asad Shafiq
- September 2 – Venue: Inzamam ul Haq High Performance Centre, Multan. Selector: Batool Fatima
- September 3 – Venue: Women’s Sports Stadium, Bahawalpur. Selector: Batool Fatima
