The Pakistan Cricket Board(PCB) has made padel a compulsory part of its training programme at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore, aiming to improve players' fitness and overall athletic ability.
Under the new initiative, players attending long-term training camps at the NCA will be required to play the racket sport for 40 minutes every alternate day as part of their fitness routine. The move is intended to enhance agility, reflexes, stamina, and fielding skills while also making training sessions
more engaging.
The decision has been taken by senior selector and director of high performance Aqib Javed, who believes padel can offer significant fitness benefits and complement cricket-specific training.
"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," Aqib was quoted as saying by The Times of India.
Padel, which combines elements of tennis and squash, is played on a smaller enclosed court. Despite its compact playing area, the sport demands quick movement, sharp reflexes, and high levels of endurance. According to Aqib, these qualities make it an ideal activity for cricketers looking to improve their athleticism and on-field performance.
The PCB's latest initiative is part of a broader effort to modernise training facilities at the National Cricket Academy and provide players with a more well-rounded development programme.
In addition to mandatory padel sessions every alternate day, the board is planning to introduce several new recreational and sporting facilities at the academy. These include basketball courts and an indoor games hall equipped with snooker and other indoor sports.
Aqib also revealed that the NCA has already installed an AI-powered bowling machine, reflecting the board's commitment to using advanced technology to enhance player preparation.
With these upgrades, the PCB aims to transform the National Cricket Academy into a comprehensive high-performance centre where players can improve not only their cricketing skills but also their fitness, agility, and overall physical conditioning ahead of international assignments.
