PCB chief Butt urges selectors to focus more on U-19 cricketers

Lahore, Feb.6 (ANI): Admitting to flaws in the whole cricket set-up of the country, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ijaz Butt has urged the selectors to prepare a solid ground for under-19 cricketers, who have performed brilliantly in the recent past.

Pakistan's junior team reached the final of the recently concluded ICC U-19 World Cup, but was defeated by Australia.

Addressing a reception held in honour of the Pakistan U-19 team here, Butt said several young cricketers have been wasted in the pasted, a issue which must be addressed seriously by the administrators.

"Our Juniors have been performing well at this level but it was bad luck for them to not be able to reach the national team as they were lost somewhere on the way in the absence of a proper plan or programme for them. But I will now advise the selectors to keep a vigilant eye on this fresh lot," Butt said.

He hit out at former Pakistan cricketers who have shown less interest in training young talented players, rather always run after assignment with the senior team.

Butt said former Pakistani Test players should learn from Australian great Greg Chappell, who focuses more young guns.

"Chappell loves to work with upcoming talent as he did when he joined the Indian national team as coach but his emphasis was more on juniors," The Dawn quoted Butt, as saying.(ANI)