KARACHI: The selection committee headed by former Test batsman Basit Ali shortlisted 28 probables for the Pepsi-PCB Star Programme for U-16 cricketers during the Karachi Region trials at the National Stadium here on Friday.

Overall 284 teenagers reported for the trials on the first day of the three-day trials which will end on Sunday. The trials were conducted in morning and afternoon sessions.

The Basit-led selection committee, which witnessed the players (batsmen and bowlers) at the trials, included former Test batsman Azam Khan and former first-class cricketers Arif Mahmood, Shaukat Mirza, Asim Rizvi and Aamir Iqbal.

The trials resume on Saturday at 9:00am. All the boys are advised to report for the trials at 8:30am in proper cricket attire with their cricket gear, ‘B’ form and birth certificate.

“After the three-day trials, around 30-40 teenage cricketers will be picked,” Basit said.

Three teams comprising these selected players will be made. These outfits will then play matches (against each other) after which a 20-member Karachi Region U-16 team will be finalised.

Players shortlisted after the first-day trials:

Maaz Khan, Mohammad Anas Ilyas, Mustafa Mansoor, Mohammad Faizan Khan, Mustafa Mansoor, Ashraf Khan, Mohammad Hasan Khan, Abdur Rehman, Mohammad Wali, Syed Mufassar Ali, Barkatullah, Faizan Shah, Hidayatullah, Zulfiqar Ali, Hammad Mughal, Abdur Rehman, Shahzaib, Hammad Alam, Azizuddin, Usama Butt, Hasnain Rizvi, Mushtaq Khan, Mohammad Umar, Mohammad Ha­mza, Hammad Saeed, Zorain Naushad, Aarish Kaim­khani, Mohammad Taha, Arsalan Wasim.—APP

Opinion

Editorial

A new chokepoint
Updated 24 Jul, 2026

A new chokepoint

WITH free transit of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz blocked due to the US-Iran conflict, a new chokepoint has...
Improved rating
24 Jul, 2026

Improved rating

S&P GLOBAL’S decision to upgrade Pakistan’s long-term sovereign credit rating to ‘B’ with a stable...
More firetraps
24 Jul, 2026

More firetraps

WHILE it was already apparent that death traps dot Karachi, a safety audit by the Sindh government has thrown up...
De-escalation efforts
23 Jul, 2026

De-escalation efforts

WHILE the exchange of fire across the Gulf — and the wider Middle East — continues between the US and Iran,...
Time to integrate
23 Jul, 2026

Time to integrate

PAKISTAN remains one of the least regionally integrated economies in Asia. The trade figures for the last fiscal ...
Modi unnerved
23 Jul, 2026

Modi unnerved

DISCONTENT is visible in India. Delhi has been on the boil since last month. As thousands took to the streets ...