The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has abruptly suspended its national junior championship due to “unavoidable circumstances.” The tournament, which began on Tuesday with three-day games across various venues, was unexpectedly halted after the first day’s play, leaving teams and officials surprised by the sudden decision.
In a brief press release, the PCB confirmed the suspension but did not provide a detailed explanation. This decision came after the board had already invested millions of rupees in preparing 18 regional teams for the tournament. Training camps were set up, and teams were provided with meals, accommodation, transportation, kits, and daily allowances.
An insider within the board revealed that the suspension was linked to complaints received by chairman Mohsin Naqvi. These complaints included issues related to the selection of teams, the use of over-age players, and fake documentation. Despite strict rules such as wrist bone X-rays and document submission, the U-19 tournaments have faced allegations of selection irregularities and age fraud.
The junior tournament is considered crucial for developing talent for first-class cricket and international exposure. The insider mentioned that Naqvi was particularly concerned because some of the complaints had been verified as accurate, prompting the indefinite postponement.
Teams were scheduled to play one-day matches after a day’s break following the three-day games. The selection process had been carried out by regional coaches, PCB representatives, and the president of the respective region.
In addition to the junior championship, the PCB has also postponed the national women’s U-19 tournament, which was set to start on September 16.
