National cricketers undergo intensive skills development training

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) Skills Development Camp is in full swing at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and LCCA Ground in Lahore, where a select group of national cricketers are undergoing rigorous training aimed at refining their technical, tactical, and physical capabilities ahead of a packed international calendar.

The 20-day camp, which began on June 16, is being conducted in three phases, with the first batch of 15 players currently participating under the supervision of NCA coaches. The sessions are structured to include morning fielding and fitness drills from 6:00 to 8:00 AM, followed by skill-based training in the afternoon from 2:30 to 6:30 PM.

On Wednesday, the fourth day of the camp, players engaged in a combination of indoor gym work, technical drills, and role-specific training. Coaches focused on enhancing agility, catching, reverse swing, and shot selection, with former internationals Wahab Riaz, Abdul Razzaq, and Rehan Riaz leading specialized sessions for pacers and batters.

According to Director High Performance Aaqib Javed, the camp is designed to provide “a rare pause from match play” and a platform for one-on-one coaching, allowing players to identify and address individual areas of improvement.

“The initiative is also aligned with the national team’s coaching staff, ensuring consistency in preparation across formats. “A match simulation is scheduled for Thursday, June 20, at the LCCA Ground, offering players a chance to apply their refined skills in a competitive setting.

“These simulations are expected to play a key role in selection assessments for upcoming series against Bangladesh and the West Indies, as well as the Pakistan Shaheens’ tour of England,” he pointed out. Babar Azam, who was part of the initial group, left after two days due to prior overseas commitments, with PCB officials confirming that his absence was communicated in advance.