The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is focused on improving the fitness of the men’s cricket team. When Babar Azam took over as Test captain again, he said that better discipline and fitness were his main goals. In a rather interesting move, the PCB has decided to make playing the racket sport ‘Padel’ compulsory for cricketers.
Aaqib Javed, PCB’s high-performance director, has revealed that padel courts have been installed at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore. It’s an attempt by the PCB to enhance fitness standards.
“The PCB had introduced padel courts at the National Cricket Academy to ensure players had access to modern training and recreational facilities without leaving the premises. The initiative was designed to improve players’ fitness, enhance their overall development and create a more productive environment during long training camps. Previously, players had to travel to play padel, but that is no longer the case. We want to provide an environment and facilities during long camps that help improve the players’ overall performance,” Aaqib told Geo News.
PCB Introduces Padel at the NCA
Pakistan cricketers training at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore have been asked to play around 40 minutes of padel every alternate day. According to Aaqib, the fast-moving sport helps improve fitness, movement, and agility, while also contributing to better fielding on the cricket field.
Since cricketers will be present at the facility for long camps, it’s also important for them to keep their minds fresh and have some fun. In the past, cricket teams often added other sports like football to their training routine.
“It is not necessary for players to only play cricket during long camps. Padel will be compulsory every alternate day. The sport improves fitness, while its movement patterns are directly linked to fielding, making it highly beneficial for cricketers,” he explained.