LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) through its Domestic Cricket Operations (DCO) Department has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Abbottabad University of Science and Technology (AUST) for the development and maintenance of a cricket ground and training facilities on campus.
The MoU was signed by Senior General Manager DCO Osama Sharoon and Registrar AUST in presence of other senior officials from the University. The duration of the MoU has been set to 25 years.
According to the arrangement, the AUST will provide suitable land to PCB on its campus for the development of a first-class cricket ground, along with top-class pitches and pavilion arrangements. The AUST will also provide hostel rooms for lodging of regional, academy and age-group players, coaches and ground curators.
The cricket facility at the AUST will be elevated to the status of a High-Performance Centre and will be used by the PCB for hosting a number of development and training activities. The players and coaches in the region will benefit from this dedicated facility throughout the year as they look to hone their skills. Students from Schools, Colleges and Universities in the region will also be given opportunities to train and play at the venue.
The PCB plans to begin year-long regional academies across all 16 regions and this facility will become the base for Abbottabad Region’s academy. The provision of quality lodging in University’s hostel by the AUST for players and coaches is also a welcome step as it will reduce costs of private lodging.
The PCB aims to make the facility a nursery for player development and in that regard, it will ensure provision of a quality square and training wickets.
Usama Sharoon, SGM DCO PCB said, “I congratulate the Abbottabad University of Science and Technology for beginning this long-term cricket development partnership with the PCB. It is heartening to see academic organisations taking keen interest in growing and spreading the game in their respective regions.”
He said, “I also urge other corporate and academia entities to join hands with the PCB to further grow and develop the cricket infrastructure throughout the length and breadth of the country. In this way we can expand our net of scouting and player development and provide vast opportunities to more youngsters across all 16 regions.”
It may be noted that in March, the PCB had signed a first-of-its-kind MoU with Jawad Sports Complex for promotion and development of grassroots cricket in Faisalabad Region.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
Comments