PCB contemplating major reshuffle in junior cricket

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) plans a fresh start for the junior cricket as we may well have to see a foreign coach or Director coaching for all age-limit teams in near future.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Najam Sethi in a recent interview with The News at Dubai International Sports Stadium confirmed making sweeping changes in coaching, training and selection of junior teams for national and international cricket.

“Let me share with you that PCB has planned a big time change in the junior cricket. We want to invest heavily on junior strings in coming years. Nurseries are meant to throw talent to the top and as such need to be looked after properly. Where ever the investment would be required we would do that,” the PCB chairman said while talking to The News.

He said that from here on, junior cricket would be one of top priorities for the board. “We would take all possible steps to make sure that junior graduates are fully prepared to bear the brunt of international cricket. All these junior strings would be prepared in a way that would help them put up best show under pressure.”

Sethi admitted some low scores by national under-19 team was more due to players playing under pressure in crunch situation. “What we want is to make juniors mentally and physical tough and teach them the right approach to counter the growing pressure from other teams.”

Though Sethi was tight lipped on notable changes the junior cricket would see in future, The News has learnt that we might see Director Coaching or at least the appointment of full fledge mentor for the junior strings. Hiring foreign head coach or Director coaching is also a possibility.

There is also a plan to send junior strings on tours abroad. National Under-16 team is set to tour Australia within couple of month time. Before the Junior World Cup in two year time, the national under-19 is also expected to play many teams abroad for much needed international exposure.

After failing to put up a decent show in two back to back matches against Afghanistan in the Junior Asia Cup, Pakistan team was also bowled out cheaply by India in the semi-finals. Though junior Mansoor Rana had no genuine excuse for back to back batting flop, the absence of mentor also contributed to players inability to put up a decent show. The PCB rightly realized the urgency of matter and has decided to come up with a fresh plan to make nurseries at junior level result oriented.