PCB announces plans to hold Kardar Cup

The proposed nationwide tournament featuring schools will begin from next season

KARACHI: Pakistan’s cricket authorities on Monday announced plans to organise a nationwide schools tournament that will feature thousands of kids from all over the country.

Shaharyar Khan, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, said that the tournament will be known as the Hafeez Kardar Cup. Kardar is regarded among the legends of Pakistan cricket and was the country’s first Test captain.

“This tournament will be organised by the PCB and will be administrated by all 16 regions and their 97 cricketing districts,” a statement issued by the Board said.

“The nation-wide tournament will feature private schools as well as well government schools for the first time in the history of Pakistan Cricket. Junior selectors will be tasked to monitor this tournament and the best players will be sent to the NCA for coaching,” it added.

“The finals of the Kardar Cup will be held in Karachi Lahore depending on weather. It will be ensured that the matches do not interfere with schools examinations. The main objective of the schools program is to build a national base for junior cricket including more educated junior players.

“The Kardar Cup will start from next cricket season and will be administered on behalf of PCB by Junaid Zia who will be PCB’s consultant on Schools Cricket,” the statement concluded.

The Board’s decision to launch a nationwide cricket tournament for schools is a good move considering that Pakistan is one of the few cricket-playing nations in the world with little or no organised cricket at the school level.

The Board also revealed that a separate programme for a national club championship and an inter—university competition will be announced shortly by PCB.