LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board has decided to award central contracts to Under-19 players for the first time. The move comes after the young side impressed during its recent tour of England.
The Pakistan U19 Contracts initiative aims to reward promising players and support their development early on. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi announced the decision after meeting the squad in Lahore.
Naqvi invited the players after their successful England campaign. Pakistan U19 won the four-match one-day series 3-1 and earned praise for its overall performance.
During the meeting, Naqvi spoke with the players individually. He appreciated their efforts and encouraged them to continue working hard as they move forward in their careers.
The PCB believes the Pakistan U19 Contracts will give young cricketers greater motivation. Officials also expect the new system to strengthen confidence among emerging players.
Head coach Shahid Anwar welcomed the decision. He said central contracts at the junior level would encourage players to improve their performances and stay focused on cricket.
Shahid also said that rewarding good performances helps young players build confidence. He added that encouragement from the PCB chairman gives both the squad and coaching staff additional strength.
The Pakistan U19 Contracts also introduce a more structured support system for young cricketers. Until now, central contracts mainly focused on senior-level players.
Pakistan U19 captain Farhan Yousuf also welcomed the development. He said the training and development camps in Multan had played an important role in improving the players over the past two years.
Farhan said those camps produced positive results for the team. He also described the meeting with Naqvi as an encouraging experience for the entire squad.
According to Farhan, the Pakistan U19 Contracts represent a major boost for young players. He said receiving central contracts for the first time gives the squad greater motivation to perform consistently.
Other players also welcomed the PCB’s decision. Aalyan Salman said the contracts would increase confidence and allow young cricketers to focus more closely on their game.
Jahangir Bilal highlighted the financial side of the new system. He said central contracts could also help young players support their families while continuing their cricket careers.
Rizwanullah thanked the PCB and Mohsin Naqvi for the initiative. He said the announcement of rewards and contracts had provided significant encouragement to the team.
The Pakistan U19 Contracts could also help the board create a stronger pathway from junior cricket to the national level. Financial support may allow players to spend more time training and developing their skills.
Pakistan’s junior cricket system has produced several talented players over the years. However, a formal contract structure at U19 level could provide more stability during an important stage of their careers.
The recent England tour played a major role in the PCB’s decision. Pakistan won three matches in the four-game one-day series and showed strong performances across different conditions.
That success gave the board another reason to reward the squad. Officials now want young cricketers to see a clear connection between strong performances and professional opportunities.
The Pakistan U19 Contracts could also increase competition within the junior setup. Players may work harder to earn contracts and maintain their place through consistent performances.
Meanwhile, the PCB has continued to invest in age-group cricket through training camps and development programs. Farhan Yousuf specifically credited the Multan camps for helping players improve their skills and preparation.
The new contracts add another layer to that development system. Young players can now receive both training opportunities and financial recognition from the cricket board.
The Pakistan U19 Contracts decision also sends a message to emerging cricketers across the country. Strong performances at junior level may now bring greater recognition and structured support.
For the current squad, the announcement comes after a successful overseas campaign. The England series gave several players valuable exposure and helped the team build confidence.
The PCB now hopes the contracts will encourage those players to continue improving. The board also expects the initiative to support a smoother transition from U19 cricket to domestic and international competition.
The Pakistan U19 Contracts therefore mark a new step in Pakistan’s junior cricket structure. For the first time, young players will receive formal central contracts as part of their development pathway.
With the move, the PCB aims to reward performance, improve motivation, and give emerging cricketers greater support as they prepare for the next stage of their careers.
