The former Pakistan Test captain Azhar Ali has been appointed the head of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) head of youth development programme. According to the PCB, Azhar went through a recruitment process before being appointed for the newly created role.
Managing the youth development comes in addition to the role of looking after the senior men’s national selection committee for Azhar.
As the head of youth development, Azhar will collaborate with regional associations “to strengthen age-group programmes, educating emerging cricketers under the PCB’s Pathways Programme”.
“As the Head of Youth Development, Azhar has been tasked with shaping the future of Pakistan cricket by designing and implementing comprehensive youth cricket strategies, establishing robust grassroots cricket structures and talent pathways, collaborating with regional cricket associations to strengthen age-group programmes, educating emerging cricketers under the PCB’s Pathways Programme, and organising seminars and clinics to build awareness of off-field development essentials for aspiring players,” a PCB release read.
Azhar expressed happiness on his appointment and mentioned that “grassroots development” plays an integral role in “shaping future stars” and acts as a feeder line to the senior team.
“I am honoured and excited to take on this important role,” Azhar was quoted as saying in a press release. “Having risen through the age-group ranks and played extensive club and domestic cricket, I understand the critical role grassroots development plays in shaping future stars.
“Significant strides have already been made in this area and I look forward to working with my colleagues to further elevate our youth development programme further. Our goal is to identify promising talent and equip them with the tools to excel at the highest level.”
Meanwhile, the Pakistan U19 men’s cricket team hammered the UAE U19 team by 191 runs to qualify for the finals of the ongoing tri-series. They will now take on Afghanistan in the summit clash.
