LAHORE: After committing blunders in selection of the six provincial probables for the national under-19 cricket championships, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday took a U-turn by deciding to hold open trials — a ritual which was overlooked for the six teams’ selections for the National T20 Cup.

“Players born on or after Sept 1, 2001 are eligible to appear in open trials; prior to trials, players will have to register via email trialregistration@pcb.com.pk or WhatsApp numbers at +321 436 5021, +303 444 5879 and +331 436 8821 from 11-14 September,’ a PCB press release stated on Thursday. “To provide equal opportunities to all the players and avoid crowding at the venues, the local players will undergo trials on day one, while the teenagers arriving from outside the venues will attend trials on the second day. This will also help the non-local players to plan their respective trips.

“Following the two-day activity, 40 players will be shortlisted for each of the six Cricket Associations, who will feature in trial matches, on 18 and 19 September, to stake claims in the final 20-player squads.”

The players will be required to bring original copies of their B-forms for pre-trial age verification.

The National High Performance Centre coaches will be involved in the trial processes at the LCCA Ground in Lahore and the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi. Trials in Abbottabad, Karachi, Multan, Quetta will be conducted by members of the National Junior Selection Committee who will be joined by the teams’ head coaches.

Trials breakdown (to be held from 0800 to 1800):

Sept 16: Trials for local players

Sept 17: Trials for outstation players

Sept 18-19: Trials of shortlisted players

Schedule:

Sept 16-19: Balochistan — Bugti Stadium, Quetta; Central Punjab — LCCA Ground, Lahore; Khyber Pakhtunkhwa — Abbottabad Cricket Stadium; Northern — Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi; Sindh — National Stadium, Karachi; Southern Punjab — Multan Cricket Stadium, Multan.

Published in Dawn, September 11th, 2020