The series of U-25 trials in the region will start from October 9. Under the Talent Hunt program, 20 players from the province will be trained under the supervision of expert coaches and they will be sent to Karachi during the cold season.

“Chairman PCB Rameez Raja take steps to improve cricket from Balochistan, soon Quetta vs Islamabad match will be held in Quetta, Balochistan government will start school cricket tournament in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, construction of cricket academy in Quetta will start soon,” Imran Gichki said.

He said this while addressing a press conference at Akbar Bugti Cricket Stadium, Quetta on Thursday.

Director General Sports Durra Baloch, Quetta Gladiators Coordinator Sardar Wali, Abdul Nasser, Arbab Shakir and others were also present on the occasion.

Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Mir Imran Gichki said that trials under the Chief Minister’s Talent Hunt Program in collaboration with Quetta Gladiators will start from Quetta on October 9 at 10 am including Qila Abdullah, Nushki, Pishin, Loralai, Ziarat, Mastung, Qila Saifullah, Barkhan, Musakhail, Zhob, Sherani, Dukki, Harnai and Chaghi will be able to participate.

Players from Sohbat Pur, Usta Mohammad, Kohlu, Dera Bugti, Jhal Magsi and Kachhi will be able to give trial while players from Gwadar, Turbat, Panjgur, Khuzdar, Kalat, Lasbela, Washik, Kharan and Sorab will give trial on October 17 at Jam Ghulam Qadir Stadium Hub.

He said that players under the age of 25 who did not play first class will be eligible for the trial while the trials will be taken by national cricket team players Umar Gul, Arbab Shakir, Zafar Shakir and other coaches.

The players will be trained under the supervision of expert coaches under Quetta Gladiators so that they can move forward.

He said that he has positive expectations from PCB chairman Rameez Raja and invited him to pay his first visit to Balochistan for the betterment of cricket and start improving cricket from here.

He said that Balochistan cricket has been improving for the last 74 years. The reason for not improving is that we have not been able to create a system. We have a fourth generation in cricket and only one player is represented at the international level. We want to improve the system.

“In this regard, the government of Balochistan, PCB and Quetta Glade,” he said.

He said that joint efforts of Chief Minister Balochistan, Provincial Minister for Sports and owner of Quetta Gladiators Nadeem Omar are working together to improve school cricket in the province. Other projects are also being worked on.

Replying to a question, he said that work on construction of cricket academy in Quetta would start soon which would be turned into Quetta Gladiator Excellence Center, that Quetta Gladiators owner Nadeem Omar wants Balochistan in cricket.

“The Talent Hunt program will promote cricket in the province and give a chance to the talented players to come forward. Every player participating in the trials will also be given a Quetta Gladiators shirt and cap,” he said.