LAHORE, Pakistan – The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially kicked off its ambitious Skills Development Programme, designed to hone the abilities and fitness of its cricketers ahead of a demanding international schedule. On Saturday, the PCB announced the selection of 15 players for the first phase of this intensive programme, which commenced on Monday at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore. The camp is being overseen by the newly-appointed Director High Performance, Aaqib Javed, marking a significant step in the PCB’s efforts to enhance player readiness and performance.
In a detailed media release issued on Saturday, the PCB confirmed that the National Cricket Academy would serve as the hub for this 20-day Skills Development camp. A total of 47 men’s cricketers are slated to undergo comprehensive training and fitness sessions throughout the duration of the camp. The initial batch, comprising 15 selected players, will participate in the first phase, which is scheduled to run until June 21. Following the conclusion of this inaugural phase, a second contingent of 16 players will arrive on June 22, embarking on their training sessions from June 23 to June 28. The third and final batch, also consisting of 16 players, will then train from June 30 to July 5, ensuring staggered yet continuous development for all identified cricketers. The names of the players selected for the second and third batches are expected to be announced by the PCB in due course, keeping players and fans informed as the programme progresses.
The training regimen for the players is meticulously structured to cover both physical conditioning and technical skills. Mornings, from 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM, will be dedicated to rigorous fitness and fielding sessions, emphasizing agility, strength, and sharp fielding techniques crucial for modern cricket. In the afternoons, from 2:30 PM to 6:30 PM, the focus will shift to skill-based sessions, primarily net practice, allowing players to fine-tune their batting, bowling, and wicket-keeping abilities. These intensive sessions will be conducted at both the LCCA Ground and the National Cricket Academy, utilizing the best available facilities. From Monday to Thursday, the players will engage in these focused training blocks. Fridays and Saturdays will provide a practical application of their learned skills, with players featuring in simulated match scenarios at the LCCA Ground, offering invaluable match practice and tactical exposure.
Beyond the Skills Development Programme, the PCB has also outlined plans for dedicated training camps for both the senior Pakistan national team and the Pakistan Shaheens (Pakistan A team) in Karachi. The national team’s training camp is scheduled to commence on July 7, while the Shaheens will begin their preparations from July 10. These camps are strategically timed to prepare the teams for their respective forthcoming foreign tours.
The Pakistan national team faces a packed international schedule, starting with a tour of Bangladesh where they are set to play three T20 Internationals from July 20 to July 24. Following their assignment in Bangladesh, the Green-shirts will head to the United States for a three-match T20 International series against the West Indies, to be played in Lauderhill, Florida, from August 1 to August 4. Subsequently, the team will continue their tour of the West Indies to engage in three One-day Internationals, with all these white-ball fixtures scheduled to be staged in Tarouba. Concurrently, the training camp for the Pakistan Shaheens is being held specifically to prepare them for their upcoming tour of England, scheduled for next month, which will provide crucial exposure and development opportunities for emerging talent.
The 15 players called for the first phase of the Skills Development Programme include a mix of established international cricketers and promising young talents: Aamir Jamal, Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Babar Azam, Hasan Nawaz, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, and Sufyan Moqim. This initial group represents a blend of experience and potential, highlighting the PCB’s holistic approach to player development and its commitment to nurturing a strong pool of talent for national and international assignments. The programme underscores the PCB’s proactive strategy to ensure its players are in peak condition, both physically and skillfully, to face the challenges of international cricket in the coming months.
