Najam Sethi-led PCB Administration Scraps Pakistan Junior League (PJL)

The newly-appointed administration of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which is headed by chairman Najam Sethi, has decided to discontinue the Pakistan Junior League (PJL).

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) recently underwent major changes with the arrival of a new chairman – Najam Sethi – and a new interim chief of the Men’s Selection Committee – Shahid Afridi.

IPL 2023 | Sri Lanka Tour Of India 2023 | Dream11 Prediction | Fantasy Cricket Tips | Cricket Match Prediction Today | Cricket News | Cricket Live Score | New Zealand tour of India 2023 | Australia Tour Of India 2023 

Ramiz Raja, who was appointed as the 36th chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on September 13, 2021, was removed from his role on December 21, 2022, following Pakistan’s humiliating Test series defeat against England at home.

The decision to discontinue the Pakistan Junior League was taken at a meeting of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s management committee on Saturday, December 31.

IPL 2023 | India National Cricket Team | IND vs SL 2023 | India vs Sri Lanka 2023 | IND vs NZ 2023 | India vs New Zealand 2023 | IND vs AUS 2023 | India vs Australia 2023

Notably, it was expected that PJL, which was the brainchild of Ramiz Raja, would be scrapped after Ramiz’s departure. The 60-year-old, a week before being sacked, had signed an MoU with a company for the commercial and management rights of the league and the deal was for 20 years, and was worth PKR 55.5 million per year.

The inaugural edition of the T20 league for Under-19 players from around the globe, was played from October 6 to 21 in 2022. In its first year itself, the league incurred heavy losses and the competition’s future was always uncertain.

The PCB Management Committee Agreed To Discontinue The Pakistan Junior League – Pakistan Cricket Board

In an official statement issued by the PCB, it was stated that the board has scrapped PJL, but is planning to “revive junior series on a home and away basis”.

“The PCB Management Committee agreed to discontinue the Pakistan Junior League,” a PCB statement said. 

“However, to ensure there is a pathway for the high-performing teenagers and the country continues to produce talented cricketers across all age gaps, it was agreed to revive junior series on a home and away basis.

“It was also agreed to hold discussions with the HBL Pakistan Super League franchises to include an Under-19 player under their Emerging Categories in the playing line-ups.”

Notably, the inaugural edition of PJL came with expenses of approximately PKR 997 million, while the PCB got an income of only PKR 190 million out of it.

Also Read: PAK vs NZ: Watch – Captain, Coach Not Consulted While Picking ODI Squad Probables? Babar Azam Responds

Virat Kohli | Rohit Sharma | Rishabh Pant | KL Rahul | Suryakumar Yadav | Sanju Samson | Shreyas Iyer | Yuzvendra Chahal | Jasprit Bumrah