The National High Performance Centre’s Director Aqib Javed, never one to mince his words, has sent a stern warning to senior batters Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan.
During a candid media interaction on the final day of the Skills Development Camp, Aqib Javed revealed that both Babar and Rizwan were part of open, no-holds-barred discussions aimed at reflection rather than just repetition.
“We worked with both Babar and Rizwan and had honest discussions with them on how to enhance their game,” Aqib shared, hinting that no player, regardless of star power, is above scrutiny.
“You can’t fix everything in six days, but you can certainly point out areas that need work and get players thinking about where they stand.”
It wasn’t about technical drills alone. This was more about mindset, clarity, and reconnecting with the fundamentals.
Not Just Nets and Throwdowns
The camp wasn’t your usual net session routine. According to Aqib Javed, it served multiple purposes, from breaking the off-season rust to forging connections with new coaches.
“This was about keeping players engaged in the off-season, maintaining intensity, and getting them used to early morning routines again,” he said. “Camps like this are essential if we want our players ready for the challenges ahead.”
With series against Australia and South Africa as well as tournaments such as the Asia Cup, and the T20 World Cup all looming, Pakistan’s bench strength and mental readiness will be tested more than ever.
Pace Duo Back in Action
There was some good news on the fast-bowling front. Both Naseem Shah and Mohammad Wasim Jr. have made full recoveries from injury and were seen bowling at full pace during the camp.
“Naseem had been struggling earlier, but now he’s back bowling full tilt. Wasim Jr. has also returned to rhythm,” Aqib confirmed.
Perhaps the most striking takeaway from Aqib’s briefing was his firm stance on the kind of cricket Pakistan must embrace moving forward.
“To win in modern-day white-ball cricket, you need to go past 200 regularly,” he stressed. “We’re not looking at seniority, we’re looking at who fits the role best.”
In closing, Aqib summed up the purpose of the camp in a sentence that might stick with players for a while: “This camp was the beginning,” he said. “Now the real test is how much the players apply what they’ve been told.”
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