PCB Adds Padel to Pakistan Cricketers’ Training Routine
The Pakistan Cricket Board has taken an interesting and modern step in player development by making padel mandatory for cricketers training at the National Cricket Academy. Players are now required to take part in 40-minute padel sessions every alternate day, as the PCB looks to sharpen fitness, agility, reflexes and fielding standards.
At first glance, padel may seem like an unusual addition to cricket training. However, from a performance perspective, it makes a lot of sense. Modern cricket demands quick feet, explosive movement, fast decision-making and athletic fielding. Padel naturally develops many of these qualities in a competitive and enjoyable environment.
Why Padel Can Help Cricketers
Padel is a fast-paced racket sport that combines elements of tennis and squash. It requires players to react quickly, move laterally, change direction at speed and maintain balance under pressure. These are exactly the skills that modern cricketers need, especially in high-intensity formats like T20 cricket.
For batters, padel can improve hand-eye coordination, reaction time and body positioning. For fielders, it can support sharper footwork, better anticipation and quicker reflexes. For bowlers, the movement patterns can help with balance, coordination and overall athletic conditioning.
Fielding Could Be the Biggest Winner
Pakistan cricket has often produced world-class bowlers and naturally gifted batters, but fielding consistency has remained an area of concern over the years. By introducing padel as a regular part of training, the PCB appears to be targeting one of the most important aspects of the modern game.
In today’s cricket, saving 10 to 15 runs in the field can be the difference between winning and losing. A player who moves better, reacts faster and dives with confidence adds real value to the team. Padel’s emphasis on quick reactions and lateral movement could play a major role in improving Pakistan’s fielding culture.
A More Modern National Cricket Academy
The PCB has not stopped at padel. The National Cricket Academy has also added a padel court and installed an AI bowling machine, showing a clear push toward technology-driven and multi-sport training methods.
The AI bowling machine is another important upgrade. It can help batters prepare for different types of deliveries, angles, speeds and match scenarios with greater precision. Such technology allows players to train with more purpose and simulate challenges they are likely to face in international cricket.
Basketball and Indoor Sports Facilities on the Way
The PCB also plans to build basketball and indoor sports facilities at the academy. This reflects a broader understanding that elite cricketers need more than just nets and gym sessions. Multi-sport training can improve athleticism, coordination, stamina and mental freshness.
Basketball, for example, can help players with jumping ability, spatial awareness, endurance and quick transitions. Indoor sports can also provide valuable conditioning options, especially during extreme weather or packed training schedules.
A Step Toward a New Training Culture
Making padel compulsory may initially feel different for some players, but it could become a valuable part of Pakistan cricket’s long-term development model. The best cricket teams in the world invest heavily in athletic preparation, data, recovery and innovative training methods. Pakistan now appears to be moving in the same direction.
This initiative also has the potential to make training more enjoyable. When players compete in a different sport, it can reduce monotony while still building match-relevant skills. A fun, competitive environment often brings out intensity without players feeling the mental fatigue of traditional drills.
Final Thoughts
The PCB’s decision to make padel mandatory at the National Cricket Academy is a progressive move. It shows an intent to modernize training, improve athletic standards and address key areas such as agility and fielding.
If implemented properly, this initiative could have a positive impact on Pakistan cricket’s fitness culture. With the addition of a padel court, AI bowling machine and future indoor sports facilities, the National Cricket Academy is gradually becoming a more complete high-performance environment.
For Pakistan cricket, the message is clear: talent remains important, but in the modern game, athleticism, innovation and preparation are just as crucial.