The Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP) Talent Hunt National League has concluded in Islamabad, marking the successful completion of Pakistan’s largest grassroots cricket initiative and setting the foundation for a new generation of male and female cricketers drawn from across the country.
The league, which brought together elite performers from a nationwide talent hunt, culminated in competitive finals that highlighted both depth and diversity in Pakistan’s emerging cricket talent. In the men’s final, Men B defeated Men A by five runs, while Women B clinched a convincing seven-wicket victory over Women A, underscoring the rising standard of women’s cricket and the programme’s inclusive vision.
PMYP Chairman Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan described the conclusion of the National League as a decisive step towards building Pakistan’s future cricket core, with top performers now set to enter a structured development pathway.
From nationwide trials to national finals
The journey to the PM Talent Hunt National League began months earlier in Quetta in June 2025 and expanded rapidly across all provinces.
Trials were conducted in major cities as well as remote regions, ensuring broad access and merit-based selection. In Karachi, nearly 15,000 boys and girls participated in two days of trials at NED University. Larkana and Sukkur witnessed massive turnouts, with over 7,000 participants in Larkana and more than 8,000 in Sukkur. Similarly, Bahawalpur and Multan recorded combined participation of over 15,000 young cricketers, reflecting strong engagement from South Punjab.
Overall, more than 122,000 young players registered for trials nationwide, a scale unprecedented in Pakistan’s cricket history.
Emerging talent from every corner of Pakistan
This cricket tournament is a story of a nation’s belief that cricketing excellence can emerge from anywhere.
Ayesha, a 19-year-old left-arm spinner from Layyah, has reportedly clocked a bowling speed of 118 kph during the Prime Minister’s Cricket Talent Hunt. This is a remarkable achievement as a speed of 118 kph (approximately 73 mph) is considered very fast for a female bowler, especially for a spinner.
The strong representation and performance of women’s teams throughout the league reinforced the programme’s commitment to gender inclusion. As PMYP Chairman Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan noted earlier in the process, the presence of female teams is a significant step forward for women in sports and youth empowerment.
Pathway to high-performance cricket
The conclusion of the PM Talent Hunt National League now transitions into its most critical phase: player development. Under the programme’s long-term vision, the top male and female performers from the league will be inducted into the Lahore Qalandars High Performance Centre.
There, selected players will receive elite coaching, modern training facilities, and professional mentorship, preparing them for domestic and international cricket. Backed by Lahore Qalandars’ proven talent-development model and supported by the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, the initiative aims to create a sustainable pipeline for Pakistan cricket.
A new chapter for youth cricket
For aspiring players aged roughly 15 to 25, the PM Talent Hunt National League represents an opportunity, structure, and continuity. By bridging grassroots discovery with professional development, the programme has concluded a successful tournament and laid the groundwork for Pakistan’s next generation of cricket stars.
The writer is a digital media executive at the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme.
