KARACHI - Former Test batsman Basit Ali said on Saturday that he was on a mission to help the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) produce quality cricketers and select different teams on merit.
"My objective is to use my entire knowledge and experience international and domestic cricket in unearthing talented cricketers for future," he said in a statement here at the National Stadium. "I want to accomplish the mission and confidence bestowed upon me by PCB boss Najam Sethi," he commented.
Basit, who helped Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Ltd (SNGPL) to win this year's President's Trophy as a head coach, said he was looking forward to fulfill his role and live upto the expectation of the PCB chairman. He thanked Sethi for giving him responsibility as the regional coach to play his role in hunting the talent to bring them in different teams.
Dashing batsman said he has already worked out the plan to travel to Dera Murad Jamali and Hyderabad for talent hunt in U-23 age group.
"It’s a huge challenge for me. But I am on it and with blessings of Allah bring in force some hidden talent in coming months," he remarked.
Basit said after selecting the players from neglected areas like Hyderabad, Dera Murad Jamali and Larkanahe will launch training and coaching plans for these young cricketers.
PCB appointed Basit as the cricket consultant for Zone-I. The Zone-I consist Karachi, Hyderabad, Dera Murad Jamali and Larkana regions. "My main aim and objective is to prepare quality young cricketers from my Zone," 43-year-old Basit, who played 19 Tests and 50 ODIs for Pakistan, remarked.
He said he recently performed the duties of selection of KCCA U-19 teams and now selecting Karachi's Under-16 teams to the best of his abilities. He said he was ready take grievances of players if something went wrong in selection.