Pakistan’s Afridi in the Kingdom on talent hunt

JEDDAH: Pakistan’ s Shahid Afridi is on a visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to conduct a transparent exercise of new talent selection with the support from ACC, which will be held from Jan.15-25, according to a statement from the Saudi Cricket Center (SCC).
Afridi confirmed his visit and stated that he is immensely proud to be part of this venture. “I am very glad that I will be able to perform the instrumental role in finding out the best cricket talent from all over the Kingdom including the 5 cities,” stated Afridi.
Sameer Nidal Khan, SCC manager media said, “SCC, celebrating its 10th anniversary this month, has embarked on a Kingdom-wide talent promotion program. This measure will streamline and develop cricket at all regional levels and will pave ways for a well-trained Saudi cricket team.” The campaign has recently been propagated inviting players (from all nationalities and ages) to register their interest at www.cricpro.org for the upcoming cricket selection event.
“To formally identify new talent and select a pool of 50 promising players across the Kingdom. The selection trials, under Shahid Afridi’s leadership, will be held at major Saudi cities Jeddah (Jan 16-17), Yanbu (Jan. 18), Riyadh (Jan. 20-21) and Dammam (Jan. 19),” said Khan.
According to the rules, all players should be residents of Saudi Arabia, regardless of age or nationality, from all cricket clubs and leagues (whether affiliated with SCC or not) are equally entitled to participate and compete for the selection.
Khan also said that the SCC goals and its aim is to elevate the standards of the game, bringing the Saudi performance closer to international standards, hold tournaments within and outside Saudi Arabia and provide expertise to the SCC affiliated and integrate the cricket clubs under SCC banner.