LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi attended the announcement ceremony for players selected to travel to Zimbabwe under the Lahore Qalandars Player Development Program, as the franchise continued its collaboration with Zimbabwe Cricket to provide emerging Pakistani cricketers with international exposure.
In line with the PCB chairman’s vision of empowering youth through cricket, Lahore Qalandars will send five bowlers to Zimbabwe for a full domestic season featuring both red-ball and white-ball cricket.
The selected group comprises three fast bowlers — Abu Bakar, Ahad Aziz and Fazal Ur Rahman — and two spinners, Abdul Ali and Fiaz Ur Rehman.
The players have been picked through different talent identification routes, reflecting Lahore Qalandars’ stated focus on finding and developing promising cricketers from various backgrounds across Pakistan.
Abu Bakar, 21, from Lahore, and Ahad Aziz, 21, from Muridke, were selected through the Lahore Qalandars Player Development Program trials held in 2025. Abdul Ali, 22, from Gujranwala, and Fiaz Ur Rehman, 23, from District Okara, came through the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme in 2025, during which Lahore Qalandars conducted trials for aspiring cricketers in 28 cities across Pakistan.
Fazal Ur Rahman, 21, secured his place through the Pindi Tigers Trials, which were conducted as per the directions of Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi.
The latest initiative follows Lahore Qalandars’ previous exchange with Zimbabwe Cricket, under which five bowlers — Salman Mirza, Jalat Khan, Mamoon Riaz, Muhammad Adil and Hamza Sajjad — took part in Zimbabwe’s domestic season in 2023–24. Salman Mirza and Jalat Khan finished among the leading wicket-takers in that competition, underlining the value of international exposure for player development.
Salman Mirza’s rise has been cited as a major example of the programme’s impact. After his stint in Zimbabwean domestic cricket, he became a title-winner with Lahore Qalandars in PSL 10 and earned a call-up to the Pakistan national team.
Jalat Khan and Hamza Sajjad also went on to feature in the Pakistan Super League for the franchises of Pindiz and Islamabad United, respectively, while Mamoon Riaz and Muhammad Adil continue to play regularly in domestic cricket.
Speaking to the media, PCB Chairman Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi praised Lahore Qalandars for the initiative and urged other franchises to contribute towards cricket development.
“Pakistan Cricket will grow when all the franchises work together for the betterment and development of grassroots cricket. Among the franchises working for the development of cricket in Pakistan, Lahore Qalandars has its name at the top,” he said.
Naqvi also appreciated the facilities established by Lahore Qalandars at their High Performance Centers.
Lahore Qalandars owner and team director Sameen Rana said the real purpose of player development was to create opportunities for young cricketers to grow and test themselves in competitive environments.
“The true impact of player development lies in creating opportunities that allow young cricketers to grow, compete and prove their potential. Through our collaboration with Zimbabwe Cricket, we are providing these five bowlers with valuable exposure to a different cricketing environment and the experience of a full domestic season,” Rana said.
He also thanked the PCB chairman for attending the ceremony and supporting the initiative.
“We also thank Chairman PCB, Mr. Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi for his presence and for supporting this initiative. This gesture is a reward for Lahore Qalandars’ eleven years of hard work and will encourage us to work ever harder and contribute to the vision of the Chairman,” he said.
Rana added that Lahore Qalandars aimed to build a system that goes beyond identifying talent by equipping players with skills, confidence and experience needed for professional cricket.
“At Lahore Qalandars, we are committed to building a system that goes beyond talent identification and equips players with the skills, confidence and experience needed to progress in their professional careers. We hope this opportunity will mark another important milestone in their journeys and contribute to the future of Pakistan cricket,” he said.
The programme is another step in Lahore Qalandars’ efforts to develop Pakistan’s cricketing talent through structured training, competitive opportunities and international exposure. By giving young bowlers the chance to experience a full domestic season in Zimbabwe, the initiative seeks to improve their technical skills, tactical understanding and readiness for professional cricket.
Through its continuing partnership with Zimbabwe Cricket, Lahore Qalandars says it remains focused on creating sustainable pathways for emerging players and providing the kind of exposure that can help promising young cricketers contribute to Pakistan cricket in future.
