In a surprising turn of events, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has postponed the U19 National Junior Championships, just one day after the three-day games began at various venues on Tuesday. The decision came amid growing criticism of the PCB’s recent policies under the leadership of Mohsin Naqvi.
The U19 championship postponement follows backlash over the scheduling of the Champions One-Day Cup. PCB had invested millions in setting up 18 regional teams for the tournament. The games began on Tuesday, but after the first day, teams were informed of a sudden change. The tournament would no longer continue as originally planned.
In a statement, PCB cited “unavoidable circumstances” for the postponement, without giving specific reasons. However, a source within the board disclosed that the decision was driven by complaints regarding age fraud and biased selections. These issues raised concerns about the integrity of the tournament, prompting PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi to take immediate action. The source also mentioned that Naqvi had ensured transparency in the selection process by involving regional coaches and board representatives.
Despite the board’s efforts, including substantial investments in camps, accommodation, food, travel allowances, and equipment for players, allegations of age document manipulation surfaced. These complaints disheartened Naqvi, leading to the decision to halt the tournament.
Meanwhile, as part of efforts to rebuild Pakistan cricket, Naqvi is focusing on improving stadium facilities ahead of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. Construction is ongoing in Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Lahore. An ICC delegation is expected to visit Pakistan to assess the progress. Once the delegation approves the preparations, ticket sales for the tournament will begin, further boosting the country’s cricketing ambitions.
Leave a Reply