PCB Chairman Naqvi meets young domestic cricketers ahead of New Zealand tour

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi engaged with emerging domestic players on Sunday, issuing immediate directives to address their concerns related to fitness, skill development, and dietary plans during training sessions.

This meeting took place in the aftermath of Pakistan’s disappointing Champions Trophy campaign, where the hosts were the first team to be eliminated from the tournament.

According to media reports, these standout domestic performers are being considered for the upcoming New Zealand tour, where senior players might be given a break.

The tour includes five T20Is and three ODIs, scheduled between March 16 and April 5. The national squad is set to depart for New Zealand on March 12.

During the meeting at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore, young cricketers shared their training-related challenges with Chairman Naqvi.

They particularly highlighted difficulties faced at high-performance centers, emphasizing concerns regarding fitness programs and dietary regimens.

In response, Naqvi assured them of the PCB’s commitment to their growth, instructing officials to resolve these issues and granting the players access to all cricket academies nationwide.

Additionally, he directed authorities to introduce a specialized diet plan aimed at improving players’ physical conditioning and overall performance.

Stressing the importance of professional training, Naqvi underscored the necessity of experienced trainers to oversee their fitness regimes.

Encouraging the young talents, he stated, “You are the future of Pakistan cricket. Investing in your development is an investment in the country’s cricketing success.”

The meeting was attended by several promising domestic players, including Muhammad Ali, Ali Raza, Ahmed Daniyal, Nisar Ahmed, Mohammad Ibtisam, Mohammad Salman, Afaq Afridi, Abdul Samad, Saad Masood, Khawaja Nafay, Muaz Sadaqat, Arafat Minhas, Mubasir Khan, Haider Ali, Hassan Nawaz, Faisal Akram, Tahir Baig, and Qasim Akram.