Lahore Qalandars, the emerging cricket franchise, has forged a groundbreaking partnership with Zimbabwe Cricket to nurture and develop cricketing talent. The strategic alliance entails eight promising cricketers from Zimbabwe to undergo comprehensive training at the state-of-the-art Qalandars High Performance Centre (QHPC) in Lahore this year.
According to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the partnership will extend its support to Zimbabwe Under-19 and Women’s cricket teams. These teams will have the privilege of utilizing the world-class facilities and expertise at QHPC as they gear up for their respective tours to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
As part of this collaboration, five local players from QHPC will also have the opportunity to participate in Zimbabwe’s domestic cricket season. This move aims to offer these players maximum exposure to the game, preparing them for their first-class cricket experiences in Pakistan. Additionally, Lahore Qalandars will aid in transforming the Takashinga Cricket Ground into a state-of-the-art Zim QHPC.
Atif Rana, the CEO of Lahore Qalandars, expressed his delight in signing this landmark deal with Zimbabwe Cricket. He emphasized the franchise’s commitment to providing the best resources to talented players worldwide. Lahore Qalandars had already witnessed immense potential in Zimbabwe during their first Player Development Programme (PDP) in cities like Harare, Bulawayo, and Kwe Kwe. Rana is hopeful that the success of the PDP program will have a transformative impact on Zimbabwe Cricket, much like it did in Pakistan.
Moreover, Lahore Qalandars will bring their expertise to introduce tape ball cricket in Zimbabwe. This initiative aims to broaden the pool of fast bowling and power-hitting talent in the nation, ensuring a sustainable pipeline of exceptional cricketers.
The strategic partnership between Lahore Qalandars and Zimbabwe Cricket represents a significant step forward in nurturing young talent, fostering international cricketing relations, and expanding the scope of the sport in the region. With this collaborative effort, cricket enthusiasts can look forward to witnessing the emergence of new cricketing stars from Zimbabwe in the near future.
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