Pakistan has never faced a shortage of cricket talent. However, to discover, recognize, and properly channel this talent at the grassroots level in a timely manner, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to expand the scope of school cricket nationwide. The opening match of the PCB Talent Hunt Program for Schools will take place on Saturday at the Gaddafi Stadium between Beaconhouse and Aitchison College.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has given special importance to promoting school talent. During the 2025–26 season, the school cricket program saw participation from 450 schools across 39 districts, marking the largest school cricket participation in Pakistan’s history. Building on the success of this experience, the program is being expanded on a much larger scale this year. Approximately 21,000 students from 1,400 schools across 100 districts will participate, playing a total of 2,895 matches.
The program has been structured on a truly national scale, incorporating schools from Gilgit to Gwadar. It features participation from 124 schools in FATA, over 80 schools in Dera Ismail Khan, alongside youngsters from Kashmir and Larkana. Going beyond just matches, skills development camps are being established across all 1,400 schools where experienced coaches, including former and international cricketers, are training the youth.
The tournament will progress from district levels to division, provincial, and ultimately national levels. District league pool matches will run from September to October, a knockout stage for 100 teams will be held in November, and the national phase will run from late November to December, culminating in the final on December 5. Standout performers will gain access to Under-15, Under-17, and Under-19 cricket setups, along with 16 regional academies.
