Yorkshire CCC announce partnership with Lahore Qalandars / Sign Haris Rauf for 2022 season

[Last Monetarist]

Yorkshire County Cricket Club announces partnership with the Lahore Qalandars

Yorkshire County Cricket Club today announces that it has entered into a partnership with Pakistan Super League team, the Lahore Qalandars.

The partnership will include:

• A player exchange programme to enable international players to learn from each other, starting with Haris Rauf joining Yorkshire as overseas player.
• Scholarships for young, aspiring players from Yorkshire travelling to, training, and playing in Lahore, including access to the Qalandars’ first-class facilities, as well as opportunities for young people from Pakistan to come to Yorkshire.
• The opportunity for Yorkshire County Cricket Club to learn from and emulate Lahore Qalandars’ Players Development Program (PDP).
• The chance for academy players from both teams to train and play in different conditions.
• A friendly game between the two sides on 16th January 2022 in Lahore at the world famous Ghaddafi Stadium.

The pairing of the two clubs aims to enable mutual learning, development, and support at all levels, and a commitment to develop more accessible pathways to cricket for aspiring players from all backgrounds across Yorkshire.

The Qalandars has set a strong precedent when it comes to executing effective player exchange programmes, with successful partnerships with several Australian Big Bash League teams, enabling a number of exchanged players to demonstrate their international pedigree.

The first iteration of this exchange programme will be the joining of Haris Rauf from the Qalandars to join Yorkshire County Cricket Club as its overseas professional for a period of the 2022 season.

Another key element of this partnership is an opportunity to learn from the Lahore Qalandars’ Players Development Program (PDP). The PDP was invented to engage young people in Pakistan and give a platform to young aspiring players to showcase their undiscovered talent. Each year the franchise shortlists over 150 players, provides them with kit bag essentials and gives them the opportunity to play a tournament which is broadcast nationally.

It offers a blueprint for nurturing cricket talent whilst reducing barriers to entry. Through talent scouting across Pakistan, this talent pathway has successfully levelled the playing field, unearthed home-grown talent, and provided opportunities to young people who may otherwise not have considered the sport.

Over three seasons, the PDP has engaged with just under half a million young people across Pakistan through cricket trials, and has produced some of Pakistan’s most notable players, as well as many who have progressed from no experience of playing formal cricket to playing in the Pakistan Super League. Yorkshire County Cricket Club will now work with the Qalandars to learn from its expertise in identifying and nurturing local talent from all backgrounds, with the aim of creating a similar all-inclusive program and reducing barriers to entry to cricket for young people across Yorkshire.

Haris himself went through the PDP and his contributions to the club will include both his cricketing skill on the field and his knowledge and lived experience of the PDP to help shape how Yorkshire can emulate and develop the initiative.

The partnership between YCCC and Lahore Qalandars will be launched with a friendly game between the two sides on 16th January 2022 in Lahore, following last year’s Lahore Qalandars v MCC match. This game will be an opportunity for Yorkshire players to meet their Qalandars counterparts, and to lay the foundations for future years of knowledge sharing between the two clubs.

Professor The Lord Patel of Bradford OBE, Chair of Yorkshire County Cricket Club, said:

“The work the Lahore Qalandars do both on and off the pitch is remarkable and can serve as a benchmark for clubs around the world – ours included – for how best to spot, foster and support talent at all levels in the game of cricket.

“The Players Development Program is an incredible achievement – breaking the mould for how teams can be created within our sport, and demonstrating that through offering access and support, great cricketing talent can be found from all backgrounds.

“Over the coming months, this, coupled with scholarships and new opportunities and experiences for academy players, will represent an exciting step toward a Yorkshire County Cricket Club that is welcoming and supportive to all.”

Darren Gough, interim Managing Director of Yorkshire Cricket:

“I am thrilled to welcome the exceptionally talented Haris Rauf to our club. I am also excited by the opportunity to learn from the inspirational Players Development Program. I have spoken in the past about my passion for developing accessible pathways to cricket – for many people from a background like mine, cricket isn’t seen as an option, with the associated costs and access to facilities creating real barriers to entry. This partnership is an opportunity to take the blueprint the Qalandars has developed to such a success and work with them to define how that can be used to provide access for potential players from across Yorkshire.”

Sameen Rana, Chief Operating Officer, Lahore Qalandars:

“We are incredibly proud of our Players Development Program and our wider team in Lahore. The Program has had an immensely positive impact on both our club and those involved. We are looking forward to working with Darren, Lord Patel and the team as they look to create an inclusive and welcoming culture for all at Yorkshire County Cricket Club.”

Aqib Javed, Director of Cricket, Lahore Qalandars:

“The way in which we have worked and continue to work with clubs around the world when it comes to exchanging players should be a model that many clubs look to follow. It allows for increased diversity, the sharing of skills and expertise and all of these lead to positive cultures in which excellence thrives. We will welcome the Yorkshire team to Lahore in January with open arms and I am sure this is the beginning of a long and fruitful partnership for both clubs.”

 

[Markhor]

AKA the Yorkshire CCC Rehabilitation Tour.

 

[TeymurBlake]

So the first steps are being made to reconstruct the relationship with the Asian community by Yorkshire.

Could have made a partnership with other cricket boards as well you know.

 

[Rana]

Qalandar Lahore Qalandars!!

 

[TeymurBlake]

Good. I want to see him bowl in county cricket. But he could do with more First Class cricket before debuting for Pakistan in Tests.

 

[Colorblind Genius]

Great initiative by both sides and excellent opportunity for Palk youngsters to get exposed to intl cricket to get a head start.

I truly hope the scholarship program is not abused, and conducted free of any nepotism and/or corruption. Otherwise, many in Pak setup would want their unqualified son or nephew etc to visit UK under this exchange program, and in some cases, never come back.

 

[mazkhan]

Glad goughys back at Yorkshire

They've signed haris rauf

 

[Rana]

Rauf big Draw!

 

[Saj]

Interesting initiative.

However one of the most important things for Yorkshire is to win over the local Asians and that is still a long way off. Getting Qalandars on board is a good idea and one that will build interest amongst the Pakistani community in Yorkshire.

Positive steps.

 

[Bilal Ahmad15]

Why not Shaheen Also signing for Yorkshire? Or did he already sign with another county team?

 

[Bewal Express]

Qalandars do more partnerships than Veena Malik

 

[Saj]

Why not Shaheen Also signing for Yorkshire? Or did he already sign with another county team?

He's already signed for Middlesex for next season.

 

[MenInG]

Wonder if this is YCCCs way of atoning for the Rafiq scandal?

 

[MenInG]

Yorkshire’s historic match in Pakistan to promote their new tie-up with Lahore Qalandars has been called off.

The club has cited Covid-19 protocols as the decisive factor in the four-day venture - including Sunday’s friendly at the Gaddafi Stadium - being cancelled.

The contest was arranged when the player exchange agreement between the clubs - which sees Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf move to Headingley this coming summer as an overseas player - was struck before Christmas.

Yorkshire were scheduled to arrive in Pakistan on Wednesday but would have travelled without the majority of their first-choice XI as so many players are currently involved elsewhere around the world.

The club do not possess any full-time coaching staff or medics following the mass sacking of the backroom team last month.

Five temporary coaches were hired to oversee the delayed start of pre-season training this month but none of Ryan Sidebottom, Steve Harmison, Tim Boon, Martin Speight and Cookie Patel have applied for permanent jobs under recently appointed managing director of cricket Darren Gough.

Sportsmail understands Gough had asked his former team-mates to help out at pre-season training after the county's entire coaching staff were sacked last month in the wake of the Azeem Rafiq racism scandal.

Harmison, who donned the whites with Yorkshire for a month on loan from Durham in 2012, has most recently been a pundit for BT Sport during their coverage of the Ashes.

There is strong pedigree when it comes to the support staff positions too as Darren Gough attempts to put together a unit to replace the previous regime fronted by Martyn Moxon and Andrew Gale, ex-director of cricket and first XI coach respectively.

The deadline for coaching applications closed last week and Yorkshire want a head coach and two assistants in position as soon as is practicably possible with the start of the 2022 season just three months away.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/s...against-Lahore-Qalanders-called-Covid-19.html

 

[MenInG]

Yorkshire County Cricket Club to hold county-wide summer trials in the hunt for new cricketing talent

Recently announced partnership with Pakistan Super League team the Lahore Qalandars offers huge opportunity for four talented male and female cricketers

Aspiring players over 18 will be invited to open trials across North, East, South and West Yorkshire in summer 2022

Selection panel led by interim Managing Director of Cricket Darren Gough, alongside representatives from the Qalandars coaching team

Winners will be awarded a scholarship with Yorkshire County Cricket Club, as well as the opportunity to go to Lahore and train at the Qalandars’ elite high-performance centre

Friendly match announced between the two clubs in Lahore on 16th January postponed due to global COVID-19 situation; new date to be announced in due course.

Yorkshire County Cricket Club, together with Lahore Qalandars from the Pakistan Super League (PSL), today announces the first step on its search for undiscovered cricketing talent following the recently agreed partnership between the Clubs.

In summer 2022, aspiring players over 18 years old will be invited to demonstrate their cricketing potential during trials across the four regions of North, East, South and West Yorkshire in front of a selection panel led by the interim Managing Director of Yorkshire Cricket Darren Gough, alongside representatives from the Qalandars coaching team. Times and dates for trials are currently being finalised and will be announced in due course.

The most talented players will be divided into four teams to play a Finals Day. From these games, the best two female and best two male cricketers will be chosen for scholarships with Yorkshire County Cricket Club, including the opportunity to travel to Lahore and train at the Qalandars’ elite high performance centre, as well as a full kit bag provided for all the winners to keep.

This activity forms the first step of a longer-term vision for the partnership between the two clubs to improve access to the sport.

The programme takes inspiration from the Qalandars’ world-famous Players Development Program (PDP). This platform, for players to showcase their cricketing potential through open trials, has so far engaged over half a million young people across Pakistan, and brought down traditional socioeconomic barriers to the sport.

Entrants must not be on a professional cricketing contract, and must be 18 years or over. All travel and accommodation expenses will be covered.

Professor The Lord Patel of Bradford OBE, Chair of Yorkshire County Cricket Club, said:

“Our partnership with Lahore Qalandars is an exciting moment as we continue to rebuild Yorkshire County Cricket Club, and we are incredibly excited at the opportunity for four players to join us as a part of our new scholarship programme.

“Lack of accessibility to the sport and constrained developmental pathways into professional cricket have been among the many criticisms we have faced in recent months. While this is an initial trial, the scholarship programme is designed to help make cricket more accessible to all. We want to ensure an open and supportive pathway for aspiring talent across Yorkshire and beyond.”

Darren Gough, interim Managing Director of Yorkshire Cricket, said:

“I am thrilled to be able to welcome undiscovered talent to Headingley. Across Yorkshire, and the UK, there are so many amateur clubs with fantastic standards of cricket, and I am passionate about making sure talented players from all backgrounds are given the chance to access better facilities, develop their skills, and train with some of the best players in the world. I cannot wait to see the standard of the players and I am sure we will be spoilt for choice for our eventual winners.”

Sameen Rana, Chief Operating Officer, Lahore Qalandars, said:

“We are delighted to have built a partnership with Yorkshire County Cricket Club. Our Player Development Programme has been an essential tool to discovering new talent in Pakistan and opening up the sport to those who previously felt unable to access it, and we are looking forward to sharing our learnings as the partnership develops.”

Details of how to register will be announced soon.

Postponement of Lahore Qalandars friendly match

Yorkshire County Cricket Club can confirm that the friendly match announced between the Club and Lahore Qalandars in Lahore on 16th January has been postponed. Owing to the ongoing COVID-19 developments globally, and for the safety and wellness of all players, it has been decided that it is appropriate to reschedule the match to a later date, which will be confirmed in due course.

 

[Firebat]

This is a good partnership, not only for Haris but potentially a lot of future players.

Haris has improved a lot in recent times but want to see more of the red ball in his hand, a good opportunity to improve further in that aspect.

 

[MenInG]

Yorkshire County Cricket Club announces three-way partnership with Momentum Multiply Titans and the Lahore Qalandars
Partnership will be centred on discovering and nurturing young cricketing talent from diverse backgrounds through scholarship programmes

Yorkshire County Cricket Club is delighted to develop its commitment to nurturing undiscovered cricketing talent by announcing the addition of South African franchise the Momentum Multiply Titans in a three-way partnership with the Lahore Qalandars.

This revolutionary relationship will enable the clubs from three continents to find talent from diverse communities, offering new opportunities for boys and girls to earn scholarships overseas and train with some of the best players in world cricket.

Momentum Multiply Titans and its Sky Blues Trust has player development at the forefront of its organisational objectives, aiming to develop and nurture underprivileged young cricketers.

This partnership builds on the existing relationship with the Lahore Qalandars and Yorkshire County Cricket Club, announced in December 2021. The Lahore Qalandars’ world-famous Players Development Program has so far engaged over half a million young people across Pakistan, and brought down traditional socioeconomic barriers to the sport, providing free kit and access to world class facilities and coaching.

Professor The Lord Patel of Bradford OBE, Chair of Yorkshire County Cricket Club, said:

“We are incredibly excited to extend our pioneering partnership with the Lahore Qalandars and team up with the Momentum Multiply Titans.

“The Momentum Multiply Titans and Lahore Qalandars are leaders in ensuring that cricket is accessible for everyone and both already have phenomenal outreach initiatives in their respective countries. We are keen to learn from them how best to provide more opportunities to develop aspiring talent across Yorkshire and beyond, by developing an open and supportive pathway system. This is also an

amazing opportunity for professional players to develop their games in different and challenging conditions.

“By forging global partnerships, Yorkshire County Cricket Club will be able to create more opportunities for young cricketers, as a part of our ongoing commitment to bring down the barriers that have previously disengaged so many from the game of cricket”.

Dr Jacques Faul, Chief Executive Officer of Momentum Multiply Titans said:

“The vision of both Yorkshire and the Qalandars to improve access to cricket globally is fantastic, and we are excited to join them in this important work. The opportunity for our professional players to learn and develop alongside each other will be a great opportunity for all three sides, and we are currently working to refine the details.

“I’d like to thank Lord Patel and Sameen Rana for their willingness to partner with us and to facilitate this wonderful partnership”.

Tebogo Siko, Board President, Northerns Cricket Union said:

“We are keen to grow the Titans brand, and this partnership brings an opportunity for the Titans to share their knowledge and ideas on a global stage, while also developing the skills of the players and coaches by offering them new challenges.

“Diversity and inclusion in cricket should be an essential aim across our sport, and we are delighted to join this partnership to improve access and opportunities for young players from all three countries”.

Sameen Rana, Chief Operating Officer, Lahore Qalandars, said:

“This partnership is a landmark step in the right direction that will actually have a great impact in our cricketing circle. This is a terrific opportunity for all of us to make a difference and a valuable contribution in creating diversity in the field of cricket.
Lahore Qalandars have already successfully touched the lives of hundreds of thousands and gave young talent hope and belief. Our player development program has broken the barrier to entry providing a level field to those who otherwise couldn’t rise.

“I am excited to have Titans on board alongside Yorkshire, and this exchange program will enable youngsters from different cultures to gain exposure. We look forward to continued expansion and fully supporting Yorkshire’s steps to nurture talent and its sincere commitment to tackle discrimination and racism”.

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan quick Haris Rauf is due to arrive in Leeds by the weekend, and he really does seem like Darren Gough’s type of cricketer.

“I’m so excited about him, I really am,” he enthused. “I did that signing along with Lord Patel.

“Yes, we have a partnership with Lahore Qalandars. It doesn’t mean we have to sign one of their players, but Haris is someone who really excites me. So I was keen to get that done.

“He’s burst onto the scene in one-day cricket, but he’s very keen to develop his longer format game.

“I originally signed him just for the Championship, but once I found out he was available up until June 3, I thought it was a no-brainer to get him in for the first five Blast games as well.

“He pitches the ball up, which will be key in the Championship, and he’s hungry for success and to prove he’s not just a white ball player.”

https://yorkshireccc.com/news/view/...hted-with-yorkshire-s-three-overseas-signings

 

[gazza619]

Rauf would be too hot to handle for the average county batters.

 

[MenInG]

PDP 2022

Yorkshire’s managing director of cricket and former England Cricketer Darren Gough along with assistant coach of Yorkshire county cricket club Kabir Ali will also be present on the occasion of this single-day trials which will be held at Qalandars’ high performance Centre from 9am to 6pm.

 

[MenInG]

Pictures (courtesy of LQ media) of Yorkshire CCC Managing Director of cricket Darren Gough and Assistant Coach Kabir Ali's visit for Lahore Qalandar's trials

 

[silentkiller187]

Gough seems more intrested in whats on his phone than the LQ guys

Brilliant guy though met him a few times, lets hope this is a partnership that brings dividends for LQ/ Yorks and in turn Pakistan.

 

[Saj]

Interesting link-up this between Yorkshire and Qalandars.

It'll be of interest as to how this develops and what each team gets from this.

 

[MenInG]

Hope Gough survives the heat in Pakistan!

 

[MenInG]

Pictures (courtesy of LQ Media) of Darren Gough touring parts of the Old City in Lahore

 

[MenInG]

Darren Gough says he expects Yorkshire’s Lahore Qalandars style open trials to take place at some point in August.

The county’s interim managing director of cricket travelled out to Lahore last week as part of a county delegation including senior and pathway coaches Kabir Ali and Mohammad Azharullah and Amna Rafiq, the Yorkshire Cricket Board’s clubs and community development manager.

They witnessed, and got involved in, Lahore’s famous trial process which aims to pick out diamonds in the rough.

Pakistan fast bowler, and Yorkshire’s current overseas star, Haris Rauf was discovered that way having only ever played tape ball cricket on the streets of Rawalpindi. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Fakhar Zaman are other notable names.

Yorkshire have a link-up with Lahore, as they also do with South African side the Titans, and are hoping to unearth similar gems – both male and female.

“It was fascinating to see how it works out there,” said former England fast bowler Gough.

“To see how many turned up at four days notice from hours and hours and hours away was unbelievable. Some took a train which took two days from Karachi just for that opportunity to impress.

“It’s quite brutal because there are that many thousand who come to it.

“They have about 10-12 coaches who make a call pretty quickly on each individual.

“A bowler, for example, only gets three balls initially, and it goes in stages.

“The first bit is how they shape up. It doesn’t have to be technique, but whether they’ve got some kind of hand-eye co-ordination and things like that.

“Then they go to the next stage, which is a bit more intense. They bat a bit longer and bowl longer.

“Then they go to the last stage, which is the probably the last 40 or 50 people. And they pick 10 from there who go on to represent Lahore Qalandars on a tour and get a scholarship.

“From that, three go on to play for the Qalandars in the next PSL.

“It’s a huge opportunity for those people, and it was great to be there and experience it.”

Gough described the talent aiming to shine in Lahore as “raw”.

“It doesn’t actually matter if you hit the side net,” he said. “If you can bowl at 88 miles an hour, you’ve obviously got something there, some natural ability, to work with.

“Some had never even worn spikes before. They’d just bowled in trainers.

“I was there quite a few hours and picked out a couple, although not purely myself.

“I picked out one lad who had a Malinga style action. He hit the side net three times in five balls. But, on the speed gun, he made it up to 88 mph in trainers.

“When they put spikes on him, he couldn’t let the ball go and kept bowling beamers. But he clearly had something they could work with.

“I also saw a left-handed batter, who looked good to me, and I think he made the final 10.”

Gough continued: “I expect ours to be slightly different. I think most people who we see will have some sort of cricketing ability and will have played but perhaps been missed by the system.

“I’d like to think August will be the month we can do it. That’s why we went, to see how it worked. Now we’ll put our heads together and plan it.”

Northern Diamonds director of cricket James Carr was also due to travel to Lahore last week alongside Yorkshire Academy head coach James Lowe and James Martin of the YCB. But visa delays prevented their involvement.

“I expect we’ll have to do it slightly differently for the women,” said Gough. “That might be more coming to nets and coaching sessions over a period of time. That just depends on the demand.

“But it’s an opportunity, lads and girls – they have to be over 16, for people to come from anywhere and show us how good they are.

“I’m sure there’s some talent out there. I’m convinced of it.

“It doesn’t matter if they’re 24, 25 or 26. If they’re good enough, we’ll take a look.

“Look, our pathway and Academy works. You only have to look at how many players have gone on to play for England to know that. But there are others out there in Yorkshire and nationwide.

“There will be those who have got to 21 and thought, ‘I’m not going to get in now, I’ve missed the boat’. I don’t agree with that. If you’re good enough and 26, why can’t you have five years as a first-class cricketer?

“We’re opening it up to everyone.

“Anybody nationwide can come, but they can’t be attached to another county. We can’t go nicking Warwickshire’s or Middlesex’s players, for example. But anyone who is not connected, of course. Come along.”

If the dates fit, Gough will seek scouting help from the Lahore Qalandars’ coaching staff, added to Yorkshire’s talented group of coaches.

“I will head it up, but I can’t see every player. So our coaches will have to be harsh,” he added. “We could get 50, we could get 500. We just don’t know because I don’t think anything’s been done like this before in the UK.

“It’s going to be very interesting to see how it all works out.”

https://yorkshireccc.com/news/view/9955/gough-on-yorkshire-s-lahore-qalandars-style-trials

 

[MenInG]

YORKSHIRE CRICKET AND LAHORE QALANDARS SET FOR OPEN TRIALS IN BID TO UNCOVER CRICKETING TALENT ACROSS UK

The Yorkshire County Cricket Club (YCCC) together with Lahore Qalandars from the Pakistan Super League (PSL) are set to launch an open trial opportunity to unearth undiscovered cricketing talent across the UK.

The open trials aim to attract aspiring amateur players to demonstrate their cricketing skills in front of a selection panel led by YCCC’s Director off Cricket Darren Gough alongside representatives from the Yorkshire Cricket coaching team on Sunday, 1 October at Yorkshire’s revamped Park Avenue Bradford Cricket Ground, starting from 10am.

Open to women and men over the age of 18, the cricketers who demonstrate the most potential on the trial day will be rewarded with the opportunity to travel to Lahore and train at the state-of-the-art Qalandars high-performance centre (QHPC).

Here they will get to play and learn at QHPC’s world-class facilities with the additional opportunity to learn from the Pakistan Super League 2024 (PSL 9) which kicks-off in February 2024.

The innovative approach to trials forms part of a longer-term vision and partnership between Yorkshire Cricket and the Lahore Qalandars which sets out to address traditional socioeconomic barriers to the sport and enabling them to play cricket at the highest level.

The initiative takes inspiration from the Qalandars’ world-famous Players Development Program (PDP) which has engaged over half a million young people across Pakistan since its launch 2019.

Darren Gough, Managing Director of Cricket at YCCC, said: “I am thrilled to be able to encourage and welcome undiscovered talent to Park Avenue Bradford Cricket Ground.

“Our inspiration is taken from the partnership we have with Lahore Qalandars and is an exciting moment as we continue to look to the future with The Yorkshire County Cricket Club and continue on our journey to make it a Club that is accessible to all.

“Those who may have missed out on the traditional pathway programmes in the UK will now have the opportunity to showcase their talent.”

Sameen Rana, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and owner of Lahore Qalandars, said: “We are delighted to have built a strong partnership with The Yorkshire County Cricket Club.

“Lahore Qalandars is committed to providing the best resources to the talented players across the globe. Our Player Development Programme has been an essential tool for us to discover new talent in Pakistan and opening up the sport to those who previously have not been able to access it. We look forward to working with The Yorkshire County Cricket Club in doing the same in UK.”

Entrants must not be on a professional cricketing contract, and should be 18 years old or over.