Padel mandatory for Pakistan cricketers: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made padel a compulsory part of training for all players attending long camps at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore. As part of this new fitness routine, cricketers must now play the racket sport for 40 minutes every alternate day. The initiative aims to boost agility, reflexes, stamina, and fielding skills, with the board building a dedicated padel court at the NCA to support it.
The decision was led by senior selector and director of high performance Aqib Javed. He noted that many players already enjoy padel but had to travel far to find courts. Now, with the new facility at the NCA, training becomes more convenient and enjoyable. Many of our players are already playing padel sports regularly but had to travel long distances, Aqib said. He added that padel combines elements of tennis and squash, making it physically demanding and useful for improving movement and overall fitness.
Apart from making padel mandatory, the PCB is also adding more recreational facilities at the NCA. Plans include building basketball courts and an indoor hall with snooker and other games. The academy has already installed an AI-powered bowling machine as part of modern training tools. These steps are designed to create a better environment for players to develop all aspects of their game.
In conclusion, the PCB’s move to make padel mandatory reflects a clear focus on improving player fitness and enjoyment. By adding padel courts, basketball courts, and modern AI equipment, the board hopes to prepare cricketers more effectively for international competition. This fresh approach to training could help raise performance levels across the team.