Akmal Criticizes PCB’s Skills Development Camp

Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal has voiced strong disapproval of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) recently established Skills Development Camp, deeming it unproductive and poorly organized.

In a discussion on a local sports channel on YouTube, Akmal questioned the reasoning behind the program, particularly its multi-stage structure.

“What tangible outcomes have been achieved professionally thus far? This camp, involving 47 individuals, divided into Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 3 — what significant skills can they acquire within a mere week? It’s simply a waste of resources and valuable time. This is nothing more than a spectacle,” Akmal commented.

The 43-year-old also took aim at the PCB’s consistent focus on physical conditioning, asserting that players still do not meet fundamental standards.

“Since 2017, there has been constant talk about ‘fitness’ — but does the team genuinely embody that standard? After 20 overs, players struggle to move effectively. If they are fielding first, executing proper drives later becomes challenging. Is this the standard of fitness being promoted? They are misleading everyone,” he remarked.

Notably, the PCB initiated the 20-day Skills Development Camp on June 16 at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). The initial group of 47 players underwent training from June 16 to 21.

The subsequent groups, each consisting of 16 players, engaged in the camp from June 23 to 28, with the third and concluding phase currently underway and slated to conclude on July 5.

Director of High Performance Aqib Javed, in a statement issued by the PCB, mentioned that the players were selected for the camp following in-depth conversations with newly appointed white-ball head coach Mike Hesson.

Javed stated that the camp was created to afford players the chance to sharpen their abilities during a lull in competitive matches.

He further added that it also sought to encourage meaningful interaction between players and coaches to pinpoint and tackle particular areas needing improvement.