Pakistan cricketers required to play padel during training camps

LAHORE: Pakistan’s national cricketers will be required to play padel during extended training camps as part of a new initiative aimed at improving fitness and overall athletic performance, according to the Pakistan Cricket Board’s High Performance Centre.

A dedicated padel facility has been established at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), allowing players to participate in the sport without leaving the training complex.

High Performance Director Aaqib Javed said padel is easy to learn and offers significant fitness benefits. He noted that players previously had to travel elsewhere to play the sport, but the new facility enables them to combine cricket training with recreational physical activity.

Javed said players attending long-duration camps will be required to play padel for about 40 minutes every other day. He added that the sport’s emphasis on movement, agility and quick reactions directly benefits fielding and overall match fitness.

He also revealed plans to expand the academy’s recreational facilities by adding basketball courts and a games room featuring snooker and other indoor activities. Javed said athletes around the world regularly participate in sports beyond their primary discipline to enhance fitness and performance.