Latest news with #AqibJaved
Business Recorder
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Business Recorder
National Cricket Academy, Lahore: 20-day skills development camp concludes
LAHORE: The 20-day Skills Development Camp which began on 16th June at the National Cricket Academy, Lahore concluded Friday afternoon with a scenario-based 35-over match. Over 40 men's cricketers took part in intensive training and fitness sessions during the camp. Speaking to the media at the LCCA Ground, Director High-Performance PCB Aqib Javed shared insights on the objectives and outcomes of the camp as Pakistan gears up for a packed cricket season at home and away. 'Today marks the end of the final phase, which focused on some of the Pakistan Shaheens players ahead of their England tour. Earlier phases focused on player-coach interaction with our national men's team. Off-season is the ideal time for players to identify and address weaknesses, but our work doesn't stop here,' Aqib said. After the Ashura break, the High-Performance setup will resume camps to prepare players heading to Darwin for a T20 tournament and the Test squad for South Africa's tour of Pakistan. 'We're working in parallel with the Shaheens and the red-ball team, and we're preparing pitches that replicate home conditions to help players adjust ahead of our Test series, he said.' While acknowledging the limitations of short camps, Aqib highlighted their importance in addressing team needs. 'You can't fix everything in a week, but these camps help us fill gaps; whether it's a spin all-rounder, a fast-bowling all-rounder, or wicket keeping options. We will continue these camps until October to scout and polish emerging talent.' Pakistan's sights are firmly set on the new ICC Test Championship cycle regarding, which Aqib stated, 'I believe Pakistan has a strong chance to win it. Every team looks to capitalise on home conditions, and our immediate focus is on winning the upcoming series against South Africa.' Aqib also praised the players' discipline during the Skills Development camp. 'What impressed me most were players waking up at 5am, which added much-needed discipline and structure that will reflect in their skills and fitness over the next six months, he said.' Talking about modern cricket's demands, Aqib noted: 'The game now is highly skill-oriented and fast-paced, requiring players to perform specific roles in different phases, whether batting or bowling. Our training sessions were designed to refine these role-specific skills.' He concluded by stating that selection decisions will continue to depend on conditions and formats as Pakistan prepares for an important season ahead. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Pak to play three T20Is against BD
Pakistan and Bangladesh will lock horns in Dhaka. Photo: AFP/File Pakistan men's team will travel to Bangladesh next month to take part in a three-match bilateral T20I series, the Bangladesh Cricket Board confirmed today. Pakistan will arrive in Dhaka on 16 July before taking on the home side in the first T20I on Sunday, 20 July. The second T20I will take place on Tuesday, 22 July, with the third and final match of the series scheduled for Thursday, 24 July. All three T20Is will be held at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka, with the first ball of each match scheduled to be bowled at 6pm local time. The two sides last met in a three-match T20I series at the Gaddafi Stadium recently, where the home side completed a clean sweep over the visitors. Series schedule: 16 July – Pakistan men's team arrival 20 July – First T20I 22 July – Second T20I 24 July – Third T20I Pak A tour of Aus The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Cricket Australia (CA) are mulling over to organise series between their A teams, U19, and women's teams, local media reported on Wednesday. According to reports, the CA renewed confidence in Pakistan has significantly improved the chances of launching future pathway series, as both sides discuss to gather momentum. PCB's high-performance centre has identified Australia among its key targets for bilateral cooperation aimed at the development of cricket. Talks are currently underway regarding A team, U19 and women's team tours between the two nations. The improved relationship between the PCB and Cricket Australia has already yielded positive results. A notable example is the increased participation of Pakistani players in the Big Bash League (BBL) this season. In contrast to previous yearswhen players often faced delays in receiving No Objection Certificates (NOCs)this year, NOCs were issued before the draft, allowing players to participate without last-minute hurdles. In addition to team tours, the PCB is also interested in launching academy exchange programs to further develop young talent. PCB's Director of High Performance, Aqib Javed exploring opportunities for player exposure not just in Australia and England, but also in other cricketing nations. He believed that strong international ties are essential to send more Pakistani players abroad for experience and growth. With mutual trust being rebuilt, more Australian players are expected to be available for future editions of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Further strengthening ties, Cricket Australia's CEO recently confirmed Australia's tour of Pakistan next year, reinforcing the commitment to bilateral cricketing relations. It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan cricket will resume action after a brief break with a tour of Bangladesh at the end of July, where they are scheduled to play a T20I series - although the schedule has not yet been officially released. Following the Bangladesh tour, the Green Shirts will head to the West Indies, where a limited-overs series comprising three T20Is and three ODIs will begin from August one. Saud slips in rankings The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Wednesday unveiled the latest Test player rankings, with England's Joe Root holding firm at the top of the batting chart. Root's consistent performances have solidified his Number one position among the world's elite Test batters. Pakistan's Saud Shakeel, however, experienced a minor setback, slipping two spots to 10th place. He remained the only Pakistani batter within the top 10 but now stands at risk of falling out of the elite group. Meanwhile, fellow Pakistani Mohammad Rizwan retained his 16th position. In other notable movements, England's Harry Brook climbed to the second spot, continuing his impressive rise in international cricket. India's young batter Yashasvi Jaiswal moved up to fourth, further cementing his place among the top Test batters. Rishabh Pant's remarkable double-century performance during the Headingley Test against England propelled him up one spot to seventh. England's Ben Duckett also made a significant gain, jumping five places to eighth following his valuable contribution to England's recent Test win. In the bowling department, Pakistan's left-arm spinner Nauman Ali retained his fourth-place ranking, remaining the country's lone representative in the top 10.
Business Recorder
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Business Recorder
Biomechanics lab being set up at NCA: Aqib Javed
LAHORE: Director High-Performance Aqib Javed has announced setting up of a biomechanics laboratory here at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), which will not only help assess bowling actions but also support injury prevention from the Under-15 level to first-class cricket players. 'We have also acquired new coaching tools to help batters, bowlers and fielders enhance their skills,' he said, adding: 'Also, 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.' Talking about the short- and long-term plans he has set for himself as Director High Performance, he said, 'Over the next six months, I have set myself a target to bring about visible improvement. We are coordinating with head coach Mike Hesson to identify areas where players need focused development. The long-term plan focuses on nurturing U-15, U-17, and U-19 players.' On Coach Education Course, Aqib said, 'We already have qualified coaches from Level 1 to Level 4. It is a misconception that Pakistan lack coaches. We are going to introduce 'game education', which will cover coach, umpire, trainer and physio education. This will expand the pool of qualified professionals and boost their confidence.' He said, 'After completing the Level 3 coaching course, coaches will need to specialise in a specific area batting, bowling or fielding. This will enhance their expertise and then they will go to work with franchise cricket.' In an interview hosted by the former Test fast bowler, Aqib discussed about various academy projects covering men's, women's cricket as well as age-group cricket. He shared his thoughts on enhancing coach education system. On his vision for the High-Performance Centre, Aqib Javed said, 'The role of NCA needs to be clearly defined. Its primary function should be to fill the gaps evident in the Pakistan team across all three formats. We have compiled a list of players, identifying a need to have three backup players on the back of one player.' On the allocation of academies for different age groups and women cricketers, Aqib revealed, 'The Karachi High Performance Centre will now cater to women cricketers, providing facilities to support their diet, training and skill development. The Multan HPC will be dedicated to U-19 players, with a group of 30 selected for specialised training. The Faisalabad centre will be used for U-17 players, while Sialkot's HPC will focus on grooming 30 U-15 players.' When asked what he wants to achieve as an administrator after working in the current post, Aqib replied, 'I have set a target for the next six months where noticeable progress can be seen. After a year, I want people to say, what great facilities this academy has.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
RNZ News
13-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Mike Hesson to coach Pakistan white-ball teams
New Zealand cricket coach Mike Hesson during his time with Royal Challengers Bangalore, 2021. Photo: PHOTOSPORT Former New Zealand coach Mike Hesson will take charge of Pakistan's limited-overs sides from 26 May, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Tuesday. Hesson led New Zealand to the 50-overs World Cup final in 2015 during his six-year spell as head coach, and has also coached Kenya and Indian Premier League franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The 50-year-old is currently head coach of Pakistan Super League defending champions Islamabad United. "Mike brings with him a wealth of international experience and a proven track record of developing competitive sides," PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said in a statement. "We look forward to his expertise and leadership in shaping the future of Pakistan's white-ball cricket." Hesson takes over from Aqib Javed who was appointed on an interim basis in November, a month after Gary Kirsten resigned barely six months after taking the job. Javed, who also took over as Pakistan's interim red-ball coach after Jason Gillespie resigned in December, has been appointed as director of high performance, the PCB said. It did not provide details on who would take over as test coach on a full-time basis. Pakistan will host Bangladesh in five T20 Internationals later this month. -Reuters
Reuters
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Pakistan name Hesson as white-ball coach
May 13 (Reuters) - Former New Zealand coach Mike Hesson will take charge of Pakistan's limited-overs sides from May 26, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Tuesday. Hesson led New Zealand to the 50-overs World Cup final in 2015 during his six-year spell as head coach and has also coached Kenya and Indian Premier League franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The 50-year-old is currently head coach of Pakistan Super League defending champions Islamabad United. "Mike brings with him a wealth of international experience and a proven track record of developing competitive sides," PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said in a statement. "We look forward to his expertise and leadership in shaping the future of Pakistan's white-ball cricket." Hesson takes over from Aqib Javed who was appointed on an interim basis in November, a month after Gary Kirsten resigned barely six months after taking the job. Javed, who also took over as Pakistan's interim red-ball coach after Jason Gillespie resigned in December, has been appointed as director of high performance, the PCB said. It did not provide details on who would take over as test coach on a full-time basis. Pakistan will host Bangladesh in five T20 Internationals later this month.
