PCB awards 100 junior cricketers one-year contracts

LAHORE, Feb 27 (APP): The Pakistan Cricket Board has handed out 100 contracts to junior cricketers between 13 and 19 years age bracket as part of PCB’s Junior Development Programme. The selected players have the potential to become future stars and win games for Pakistan.

Barring a few players who are currently busy with their academic exams, most of these 100 players are watching the final at the HBL Pakistan Super League 7 final between Multan Sultans and Lahore Qalandars at the Gaddafi Stadium.

Alongside the financial support, the PCB will be investing in these youngsters to develop their complete personality, including cricketing skills and providing education to them. With the contracts coming into effect the 100 contracted players will be earning monthly retainers of PKR 30,000 each.

Scholarships will be provided in top schools and college/universities. Technical education will also be provided besides comprehensive cricketing skill acquisition plan will also be followed by the youngsters.

The 100 contracts have been divided into five categories:
• Total contracts for U-19: 45
• Total contracts for U-16: 25
• Total contracts for U-13: 15
• Special talent/nominated: 10
• Contracts for Balochistan: Five

In order to be eligible to receive these contracts, a player must have represented his Cricket Association team in the same age group in the most recent national domestic season. However, players who are picked in special talent criteria must have played the City Cricket Association tournaments. All players selected to represent Pakistan U-19 and U-16 teams (within one year) have also earned the contracts.

Criteria for U-19 retainer contracts:
• Top 15 batters in terms of runs in all formats of national U19 cricket.
• Top 10 fast bowlers in terms of wickets in all formats of national U19 cricket.
• Top six spinners, at least one of each skill (SLA, OB, LB, SLA/W), in terms of wickets in all formats of national U19 cricket.
• Top six all-rounders (three fast bowlers and three spinners) in terms of runs and wickets in all formats of national U19 cricket
• Top five wicket keepers in terms of dismissals and runs in all formats of national U19 cricket.
• Top batter, fast bowler and spinner one in each category from the previous U19 national domestic season in all formats of national U19 cricket.

Criteria for U-16 retainer contracts:
• Top eight batters in terms of runs.
• Top six fast bowlers in terms of wickets.
• Top four spinners at least one of each skill (SLA, OB, LB, SLAW), in terms of wickets.
• Top two all-rounders in terms of runs and wickets.
• Top two wicket keepers in terms of dismissals and runs.
• Top batter, bowler and spinner one in each category from the previous

U16 national domestic season.
Criteria for U-13 retainer contracts:
• Top seven batters in terms of runs.
• Top three fast bowlers in terms of wickets.
• Top three spinners in terms of wickets.
• Top two wicket keepers in terms of dismissals and runs.

Special talent criteria (nominated category): A total of 10 contracts will be given in this category. These contracts will be given to the players falling in the age group category of U19 and U16. A player may not have performed in the national and/or City Cricket Association U19 or U16 tournaments but must have played in these above tournaments to be eligible to receive a contract in this category. Following type of players may be picked for contracts in this category:

• Unorthodox fast Bowler.
• Unorthodox spinner.
• A fast bowler with pace, to be measured via speed gun.
• Any other exceptional talent.

Contracts for Balochistan: In order to encourage players from Balochistan, a total of five additional contracts will be provided to players under the age of 19 years. Top batter, fast bowler and spinner of the most recent national domestic season will receive these contracts. If the top performer is already in the list then immediate next performer will be eligible.