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Pakistan’s Director of High Performance, Aqib Javed, has laid down a blueprint to transform the country’s cricket development infrastructure, starting with a complete overhaul of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore.
Speaking during the 63rd episode of the PCB Podcast hosted by Wahab Riaz, Aqib outlined a vision that is both ambitious and refreshingly self-aware, a six-month target to initiate systemic upgrades aimed at modernising cricket training from the grassroots to the elite level.
“My biggest objective is to align the NCA with modern-day demands. We should aim to become leaders in this space, not followers,” said the former Test pacer.
“The NCA’s role must be clearly defined. It should be the nerve centre that identifies gaps in the national team across formats and works to fill them.
“We’ve created a list of players where every individual has three backups in line; that’s the level of preparedness we’re working toward.”
Among the many upgrades on the table, the most eye-catching is the establishment of a biomechanics lab at the NCA.
This long-overdue move, Aqib Javed believes, will revolutionise how Pakistan analyses bowling actions and prevents injuries.
“A biomechanics laboratory will be set up at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore,” he stated.
“This will not only help assess bowling actions but also support injury prevention from the U15 level to first-class cricket. We have also acquired new coaching tools to help batters, bowlers, and fielders enhance their skills.
“Additionally, we are acquiring baseball technology to improve the art of spin bowling and launching an information portal at the NCA to highlight its activities, which will be reintegrated with regional cricket.”
Aqib Javed has set a personal goal to visibly transform the system within six months, focusing not on bureaucratic reports but on ground-level facilities, player tracking, and streamlined talent management.
“Over the next six months, I have set a target to bring about visible improvement,” he added.
“We are coordinating with head coach Mike Hesson to identify areas where players need focused development. The long-term plan focuses on nurturing U15, U17, and U19 players.
“In a year’s time, I want people to say, ‘What great facilities this academy has,’”
Aqib also addressed long-standing criticisms about the lack of coaching expertise in Pakistan.
“It’s a myth that we don’t have good coaches. Every country hires foreign coaches; we’ve just failed to empower our own. That’s about to change,” he said.
READ: Salman Ali Agha likely to become Pakistan’s all-format captain: reports
