The cricketing world is set for an exciting collaboration as Yorkshire County Cricket Club (YCCC) and Lahore Qalandars from the Pakistan Super League (PSL) have announced an open trial opportunity aimed at discovering hidden cricketing talents across the United Kingdom.
This groundbreaking initiative, designed to attract aspiring amateur cricketers, invites men and women over the age of 18 to showcase their cricketing skills in front of a distinguished selection panel. The panel will be led by YCCC’s Director of Cricket, Darren Gough, and will include representatives from the Yorkshire Cricket coaching team. The open trials are scheduled to take place on Sunday, October 1st, at Yorkshire’s newly revamped Park Avenue Bradford Cricket Ground, commencing at 10 am.
The most promising cricketers identified during the trials will be rewarded with an exceptional opportunity to travel to Lahore, Pakistan, where they will receive training at the state-of-the-art Qalandars high-performance centre (QHPC). In Lahore, they will have access to world-class facilities and the chance to learn from the stars of the Pakistan Super League 2024 (PSL 9), set to kick off in February 2024.
This initiative is part of a visionary and long-term partnership between Yorkshire Cricket and Lahore Qalandars. Its primary objective is to break down traditional socioeconomic barriers in the sport and provide opportunities for aspiring cricketers to play at the highest level.
The inspiration for this initiative comes from the Lahore Qalandars’ renowned Players Development Program (PDP), which has engaged over half a million young talents across Pakistan since its launch in 2019.
Darren Gough, Managing Director of Cricket at YCCC, expressed his excitement about welcoming undiscovered talent to Park Avenue Bradford Cricket Ground, stating, “Our inspiration is taken from the partnership we have with Lahore Qalandars, and this is an exciting moment as we continue to look to the future with The Yorkshire County Cricket Club and aim to make it accessible to all.”
Sameen Rana, Chief Operating Officer (COO) and owner of Lahore Qalandars, expressed delight over the strong partnership with Yorkshire County Cricket Club, saying, “Lahore Qalandars is committed to providing the best resources to talented players across the globe. Our Player Development Programme has been an essential tool for us to discover new talent in Pakistan and open up the sport to those who previously could not access it. We look forward to working with The Yorkshire County Cricket Club in doing the same in the UK.”
Entrants are required to not be under a professional cricketing contract and must be 18 years old or older. This groundbreaking collaboration between YCCC and Lahore Qalandars promises to be a game-changer in the world of cricket, offering aspiring cricketers a unique opportunity to fulfill their dreams and contribute to the global cricketing community.
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