To improve agility, reflexes, and fielding-specific movement, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made Padel sport a required training component at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore. Players must take part in 40-minute sessions on alternate days.  

Senior selector and director of high-performance Aqib Javed issued the latest decision, stating that the players will be required to participate in padel sports during extended training camps at the NCA.

Playing padel increases agility by requiring quick bursts of movement, quick direction changes, and quick lateral footwork, yet it is unclear if this enhances Pakistan's fitness levels.

“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,” High Performance Director Aaqib Javed told Geo News.

Aaqib claims that the goal of the move is to enhance players' fielding, mobility, and conditioning through a physically demanding yet simple sport.

Padel, he claimed, is easy, fun, and beneficial for fitness. He noted that whereas players used to have to go to play padel, they can now use the academy's facilities in addition to their cricket instruction.

"Many of our players are already playing padel sports regularly but had to travel long distances to the limited courts in their home towns. We have now built a padel court facility at the NCA for the players," the former pacer said.

Aaqib expressed his desire for the NCA to serve as a second home for cricket players in order to enhance their general game skills and level of fitness. Cricket players would have to play padel for about 40 minutes every other day under the new schedule.  

Additionally, he stated that the PCB intends to construct basketball courts for the players and a hall that will accommodate indoor games like snooker. He said the PCB had already installed an AI bowling machine at the academy, which was part of the plan to make the academy more productive for players.

(PTI inputs)