PCB chief announces biggest school talent hunt program
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said on Thursday that the country’s biggest school cricket talent hunt will begin on September 19, with around 21,000 players from 1,400 schools across 100 districts taking part.
In a post on X, Naqvi said the PCB Talent Hunt School Cricket 2026-27 will open at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Saturday at 2pm.
The opening match will feature Beaconhouse School and Aitchison College, while renowned singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan will perform live after the match.
The biggest-ever #PCBTalentHunt (School Cricket) 2026-27 starts 19 Sept! For the first time, 21,000 players from 1,400 schools across 100 districts take part 🏏 Opening match: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, Sat 2 PM, followed by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan live 🎶 🇵🇰 pic.twitter.com/bDt9Whw6Lr
— Mohsin Naqvi (@MohsinnaqviC42) September 17, 2026
According to a PCB press release issued on Wednesday, the 2026-27 tournament will mark the second season of the board’s Talent Hunt Programme for Schools.
The PCB said it had significantly expanded the programme from 450 schools in 39 districts to 1,400 schools across 100 districts.
Naqvi will attend the opening ceremony as chief guest and formally inaugurate the tournament.
The board said the best-performing school cricketers will be brought into the PCB’s age-group and player pathway system.
Entry to Gaddafi Stadium will be free for both the opening match and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s concert.
The PCB said it had activated the school cricket ecosystem for a second consecutive season through financial and personnel investment across the country.