The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced central contracts for national Under-19 players for the first time. The move follows Pakistan U19’s strong performance during their recent tour of England.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi announced the decision while meeting members of the Pakistan U19 squad. The young team recently won the four-match one-day series against England by 3-1.
Naqvi met the players individually and praised their efforts during the tour. He also encouraged them to maintain their focus and continue working toward a future place in Pakistan’s senior team.
PCB Rewards Pakistan U19 Performances
The introduction of central contracts marks a new step in the PCB’s support for emerging players. The contracts will give young cricketers additional recognition as they develop their careers.
Pakistan U19 head coach Shahid Anwar welcomed the decision. He said rewarding strong performances can give young players greater confidence.
“Rewarding good performances boosts the confidence of young players,” Shahid said. He added that encouragement from the PCB chairman also gives strength to the players and coaching staff.
The decision comes after the Under-19 team produced an impressive result in England. The 3-1 series victory gave the young players valuable experience against strong opposition.
Development Camps Help Young Players
Pakistan U19 captain Farhan Yousuf also spoke about the development camps held in Multan. He said the programmes conducted during the past two years had contributed to the team’s progress.
According to Farhan, the camps gave players important opportunities to improve their skills and prepare for international cricket. He also said meeting the PCB chairman provided further encouragement to the squad.
The Pakistan U19 captain welcomed the introduction of central contracts as well. He described the first-ever junior-level contracts as an important development for the country’s emerging cricketers.
A New Path Toward Senior Cricket
The PCB’s decision gives young players a clearer pathway as they aim to move into senior cricket. Regular development programmes and international exposure can also help them prepare for the demands of the national team.
For the current Pakistan U19 squad, the contracts come after a successful England tour. The players will now look to build on that performance as they continue their development.
