Pakistan Cricket Board Adds Padel to National Training Program

Pakistan's national cricketers will now spend part of their training schedule on a padel court after the Pakistan Cricket Board unveiled a new fitness initiative at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore.

The move was confirmed by High Performance Director Aaqib Javed, who said the newly built padel courts are now part of the academy's expanding facilities. The decision is aimed at improving player fitness while keeping long training camps more engaging.

According to Javed, players previously had to leave the academy to play padel. That is no longer necessary. The new courts allow cricketers to stay inside the training complex while following a broader development program focused on physical conditioning and recovery.

Padel sessions to become a regular part of every long camp

Javed explained that padel will not be treated as an optional activity. Every player attending an extended camp will be required to play for around 40 minutes on alternate days.

He believes the fast-paced nature of the sport closely matches the movement patterns needed in cricket, particularly during fielding drills. Quick reactions, sharp footwork and rapid changes of direction are expected to strengthen athletic performance on the cricket field.

The PCB has been working to modernize its high-performance structure, and this latest step reflects a wider effort to expose players to different sporting environments instead of limiting them to cricket practice alone.

Aqib Javed also revealed that additional recreational and sporting facilities are being developed at the National Cricket Academy. Basketball courts, game rooms, snooker tables and other indoor activities are expected to become part of the academy's long-term high-performance setup.

He said leading sports organizations around the world encourage athletes to participate in multiple activities because they improve coordination, reduce mental fatigue and help players remain motivated during demanding training periods.

The decision represents a noticeable shift in Pakistan's approach to player development. Rather than filling every hour with batting, bowling and fielding sessions, the academy is introducing structured cross-training designed to improve both physical fitness and mental freshness.

The coming training camps will provide the first opportunity to see how the new system works in practice. If the initiative delivers the expected results, padel could become a permanent feature of Pakistan's national cricket development program.