LAHORE: Former Pakistan fast bowler and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) director of high performance Akib Javed has revealed that India approached him for guidance on fast bowling through the board’s foreign players programme.
Akib, who is also a member of the national selection panel, made the revelation while speaking on PCB’s official podcast, where he discussed Pakistan cricket, high-performance structures and long-term planning.
During the conversation, Aqib highlighted the role of the National Center for High Performance, describing it as the PCB’s engine room for player development.
“We have big plans for the NCA (National Cricket Academy), including setting up a fully functional biomechanics lab,” said Akib.
He added that the ICC-accredited laboratory, which has been defunct since 2006, is expected to become functional in the coming months.
“With this facility, we can identify illegal bowling activities and work on improving the performance of the players,” he explained.
Aqib also highlighted the PCB’s overseas pathway program which provides coaching and training opportunities to cricketers from around the world.
“Foreign and overseas players can now come to Pakistan for training and we have already hosted players from the Netherlands and England,” he said.
Terming the initiative as a litmus test for Pakistan cricket, Akib stressed that real progress can only be measured if the systems are subjected to global scrutiny.
“Until we challenge ourselves, we won’t know where we stand internationally, how talented our coaches are, or how strong our systems really are,” he noted.
“The program will eventually expand worldwide and we have already received calls from India seeking guidance for their fast bowlers.”
Akib responded with a light hearted response to the host’s comment about the rift in the relationship between the two countries.
“The common people think differently, while the bureaucracy approaches things in its own way,” he said.