By Sohail Ali

                LAHORE, Aug 31 (APP):Around 60 top performers of the national U19 one-day and three-day events have assembled here to prepare for the inaugural edition of the Pakistan Junior League.

The National U19 Championship (three-day) concluded in Karachi on Sunday with Sindh Blues emerging victorious in the all-Sindh final against Sindh Whites at the UBL Sports Complex.

The U19 players have joined the performers of the domestic U16 and U13 tournaments played this year who are already lodged in Lahore as part of the PCB Pathway Programme.

The players will work with local and foreign coaches (Engro Cricket Coaching Project) and will be integrated into the PCB Pathway Programme in the lead-up to the PJL draft.

The players who will make it to the six PJL teams will stay back in Lahore for a collective preparation camp before they join their respective sides towards the end of September when the PJL support period begins. The inaugural edition of the junior league will be played at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore from 6-21 October.

In order to introduce the players to the fans and followers of the game, profile videos of the U19 star performers are being uploaded on the PJL social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok).

Meanwhile, the interest of foreign players in the inaugural PJL edition continues to rise as the number of entries for the draft have now exceeded 160, with a total of 19 cricket boards having their representation at the draft.

PJL Tournament Director Nadeem Khan said here on Wednesday: “The 2022-23 U19 cricket season is set to provide unprecedented opportunities for players. Following a hugely competitive three-day tournament in Karachi, the players have now moved into the T20 groove with their camp in Lahore which leads into the Pakistan Junior League draft.

“The players will have access to their quality coaching and fitness programme which will prepare them for the high profile PJL in October. The PCB Pathway Programme is a perfect platform for these players as they eye the PJL. We have entered a really exciting phase for the development of the players and the next two months will further groom these future stars of Pakistan cricket once they are exposed to this potentially game changing event for junior cricket.”