Aqib Javed Unveils Strategic Plan for Pakistan Cricket’s Future

Aqib Javed, the Director of High Performance at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), shared his strategic vision for the progression of Pakistan cricket during the 63rd edition of the PCB Podcast. The podcast was presented by former Test bowler Wahab Riaz.

Aqib spoke at length about the ongoing and upcoming initiatives within the PCB’s academy system. His discussion covered men’s and women’s cricket, youth development, and coaching programs, with a focus on improving standards and reducing performance gaps at every level.

While addressing the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore, he emphasised the significance of defining its purpose. He stated that the NCA should assume a crucial role in pinpointing and rectifying shortcomings within the national squad across all formats.

“The role of the NCA needs a clear definition. Its main job should be to address the weaknesses present in the Pakistan team across all three formats. We have put together a roster of players, noting the necessity of having three reserve players for each position,” Aqib explained.

Discussing the assignment of academies for different age groups and women cricketers, the former bowler detailed the PCB’s latest developmental scheme.

“The Karachi High Performance Centre will now accommodate women cricketers, offering amenities to bolster their diet, training, and skill enhancement. The Multan HPC will focus on U19 players, with a selection of 30 athletes receiving specialized training. The Faisalabad centre will serve U17 players, while Sialkot’s HPC will concentrate on developing 30 U15 players,” he added.

Regarding the planned upgrades to the High Performance Centers, he described the critical improvements geared towards modernizing cricket training resources.

“A biomechanics lab will be established at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore. This will not only evaluate bowling actions but also aid in injury prevention from the U15 stage up to first-class cricket. We have also obtained innovative coaching tools to assist batters, bowlers, and fielders in refining their abilities,” he stated.

“Moreover, we are procuring baseball technology to elevate the skill of spin bowling and launching an informational website at the NCA to showcase its activities, which will be integrated with regional cricket,” he further mentioned.

Outlining the short- and long-term strategies he has established as Director of High Performance, Javed presented a precise plan for player development.

“Over the next half-year, I aim to achieve noticeable enhancements. We are collaborating with head coach Mike Hesson to identify areas needing targeted player development. The long-range strategy centers on cultivating U15, U17, and U19 players,” he stated.

Speaking on the Coach Education Course, he underlined the current coaching proficiency and new initiatives designed to augment it.

“We already possess certified coaches from Level 1 to Level 4. It’s inaccurate to suggest Pakistan lacks coaches. We intend to introduce ‘game education,’ which will encompass coach, umpire, trainer, and physio training. This initiative will broaden the base of skilled professionals and increase their confidence,” he commented.

“Upon completing the Level 3 coaching course, coaches will specialize in a specific domain—batting, bowling, or fielding. This specialization will improve their skills, enabling them to collaborate with franchise teams,” he further stated.

When questioned about his objectives as an administrator in his current position, he conveyed his aspiration for clear advancements.

“I have set a goal for the coming six months to demonstrate visible progress. In a year, I hope people will acknowledge the exceptional facilities at this academy,” he concluded.