Pathway Progress Shines as Homegrown Talent Stars on the International Stage
Wed 21 Jan 2026
Head of Talent Pathway, Jigar Naik, has shared an exciting update that reflects both the success of our homegrown players on the international stage and the continued progress of our academy and pathway programmes.
Leicestershire County Cricket Club’s Talent Pathway continues to go from strength to strength, with homegrown players excelling on the world stage and an exciting programme of development opportunities underway for the club’s next generation.
Head of Talent Pathway, Jigar Naik, has hailed a landmark moment for the pathway after Alex Green and Ali Farooq were both selected to represent England U19s at the ICC U19 World Cup. The pair are currently competing together on the global stage, marking a significant achievement for both the players and the club’s academy system.
To have two homegrown players representing England at the same time in such a prestigious international tournament is a major milestone and a testament to their hard work, talent, and the support structures in place around them. Everyone at the club is immensely proud of Alex and Ali and wishes them every success as they represent England.
The club also extends its best wishes to academy graduate Rehan Ahmed, who has been selected to represent England at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which gets underway in February “ further underlining the strength of Leicestershire’s talent pathway.
Looking ahead, the Academy and Pathway programme has named a 24-player squad that will travel to Ajman, Dubai, for an overseas tour later this winter. The tour will feature a demanding, match-based schedule including two-day cricket, T20s and one-day fixtures, with several games played under floodlights to expose players to conditions they would not typically encounter at home.
The programme is designed to challenge the players both physically and mentally, providing valuable experience across different formats, environments and pressures. As Jigar Naik highlighted, this level of intensity is a key part of long-term player development and preparation for elite cricket.
Alongside the overseas tour, winter squad training sessions are already well underway and have begun in a positive manner. The focus throughout the off-season remains on developing and refining individual skillsets, ensuring players are well prepared to transfer their improvements into competitive match environments during the summer.
These latest achievements and initiatives underline the club’s continued commitment to nurturing young talent, delivering high-quality development experiences, and preparing players to succeed at every level of the game.
