PCB set to launch academies to develop future stars

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has initiated major reforms in its player development programs, launching high-performance academies in Lahore, Karachi, and Multan to nurture young talent and strengthen the national cricket pipeline.

These academies will now operate year-round, focusing on structured training and skill development. A significant component of this initiative is the age-group Pathways Program, aimed at identifying and refining young players from an early stage.

Each high-performance academy will cater to specialized training programs: National Cricket Academy (Lahore): Strengthening Pakistan’s bench strength, refining skills, and enhancing fitness, technique, and mental resilience of top-performing players.

Karachi Academy: A training hub for the Pakistan women’s national team and emerging female cricketers, structured to build readiness for the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup and 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup.

Former Head Coach Aqib Javed has emerged as a leading candidate for the role of PCB’s Director of High Performance, signaling a strategic shift in leadership. Additionally, PCB is exploring major changes to the domestic cricket structure, addressing concerns over the current 18-team format. A proposal is under review to reduce the number of domestic teams to nine, aiming to improve competitiveness and quality of play.

To oversee this restructuring, a special reform committee led by Aqib Javed and former cricketer Wahab Riaz has been established, with recommendations set to be presented to PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi in the coming weeks.

With expanding academies, domestic restructuring, and leadership enhancements, PCB’s long-term vision prioritizes talent development, strategic player growth, and high-performance standards, ensuring Pakistan remains competitive on the global stage.