Aqib Javed eyes Test Championship glory as NCA camp wraps up

LAHORE - Pakistan’s pursuit of excellence in international cricket gained fresh momentum as the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) 20-day Skills Development Camp concluded on Friday at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), Lahore.

With over 40 elite male cricketers participating, the camp, led by Director High-Performance Aqib Javed, laid the groundwork for a pivotal upcoming season, including Pakistan Shaheens’ England tour, a T20 assignment in Darwin, and a home Test series against South Africa. In his media interaction at the LCCA Ground following a scenario-based 35-over match marking the camp’s conclusion, Aqib expressed confidence in Pakistan’s prospects for the upcoming ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. “I believe Pakistan has a strong chance to win it,” he said, emphasising the strategic importance of capitalising on home conditions and preparing meticulously for the South Africa Test series.

The Skills Development Camp, which commenced on June 16, was executed in three carefully structured phases. The final stage focused on the Pakistan Shaheens’ squad as they gear up for their England tour. Earlier phases were dedicated to refining skills among centrally contracted and fringe national players through high-impact sessions tailored for both individual and team growth.“Off-season is the best time to address technical and mental aspects of a player’s game,” Aqib said and added: “We are not just working for the next tour but also developing depth in every department.”

Following the Ashura break, PCB’s High-Performance Centre will resume camps to prepare for the Darwin T20 tournament and the Test squad’s red-ball challenges. Aqib explained how the setup is running dual-track preparations. “We are simultaneously working on our red-ball specialists and white-ball performers. We have even curated pitches replicating home Test conditions to ensure optimal preparation.”

Such parallel preparation reflects the evolving complexity of modern cricket, where formats demand sharply defined roles and relentless performance. “You can’t cover everything in a week, but these short camps are essential in bridging gaps, whether it’s spin-bowling all-rounders, pace-bowling utility players, or expanding our wicketkeeping pool,” Aqib added. In an era where athleticism and discipline have become non-negotiables, Aqib praised the players for their dedication and commitment during the camp. “What stood out to me the most was their willingness to wake up at 5 am daily. That kind of discipline brings structure to a cricketer’s life and it’s going to show in their performances and fitness over the next six months.”

Commenting on the evolution of the game, Aqib said: “Modern cricket is highly skill-oriented and phase-specific. A batter has to know how to anchor, accelerate, and finish; bowlers must adapt to powerplays, middle overs, and death overs. Our sessions were designed with these role-specific requirements in mind.”

Looking ahead, Aqib confirmed that similar camps will continue till October, aimed at scouting and polishing talent across the board. “These camps aren’t one-off events but part of a consistent strategy to build bench strength,” he said. “We are constantly evaluating players based on conditions, formats, and match requirements.”

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