SCC organizing committee poses for a souvenir photo after finalizing the plan for the upcoming ‘Saudi Stars Talent Hunt Program' in Jeddah. (Sitting L-R): Sadequl Islam, SCC Manager Cricket Affairs; Rohail Khan, SCC Advisor; Sameer Nidal, SCC Media Manager; Hamid Afandi, SCC Manager Operations; (Standing L-R) Mohammad Tayyab, Rahat Chaudhry, Mohsin Mirza, Serwar Hussain. JEDDAH — The Saudi Cricket Centre (SCC) has invited world-renowned Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi to help select a pool of 50 promising players from across Saudi Arabia. Afridi will conduct transparent cricket trials under the banner “Saudi Stars Talent Hunt Program” in Jeddah (Jan. 16-17), Yanbu (Jan. 18), Dammam (Jan. 19), and Riyadh (Jan. 20-12). The SCC had planned a trial in Madinah, but that has been scratched from the schedule. All those interested in taking part in the trials can register themselves at the purpose-built SCC website www.cricpro.org. All cricket players, residents of Saudi Arabia, regardless of age, nationality and cricket club they represent are entitled to compete in the trials. The talent-hunt is coinciding with the cricket body's 10th anniversary and is supported by Asian Cricket Council's Cricket Development Executive Iqbal Sikander. The step will help streamline and develop cricket at all levels besides paving the way for a well-trained Saudi cricket team. The SCC is the only cricket entity registered with the General Presidency of Youth Welfare to control, develop and manage cricket in the Kingdom. It is working under the patronage of Princess Ghada Bint Hamood Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud. With its head office in Jeddah, the Saudi Cricket Centre manages six regional associations and 217 cricket clubs all over the Kingdom. This places the Saudi cricket body as one of the top 10 ICC affiliates. — SG
