PCB Completes First Phase of Bowlers Development Camp at NCA Lahore
LAHORE, PAKISTAN — WEB DESK: The first phase of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s Bowlers Development Camp has concluded at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore, with emerging and established fast bowlers undergoing intensive technical and tactical training as part of the PCB’s player-development programme.
The pace-bowling phase ran for five days from August 24 to 28, with the players working under NCA coaches and members of Pakistan’s men’s white-ball coaching staff. The second phase, focusing on spin bowlers, is scheduled for August 31 to September 4.
Ashley Noffke Works on Fast Bowlers’ Technique
Pakistan men’s white-ball assistant coach Ashley Noffke played a prominent role during the first phase, focusing on technical deficiencies and areas where individual pacers could improve.
According to the latest report, Noffke worked closely with the bowlers throughout the camp to refine their skills and address technical aspects of their bowling.
The PCB had earlier said the programme would combine detailed technical and tactical work with reviews of the bowlers’ performances in their most recent competitive cricket.
That approach makes the camp more than a general fitness or net-training exercise, with coaches assessing individual players against their recent match performances.
Mike Hesson Observes Final-Day Nets
Pakistan men’s white-ball head coach Mike Hesson attended the final day of the pace-bowling phase and closely observed the emerging fast bowlers during the nets.
Hesson also provided technical advice to the players as the five-day programme concluded.
His involvement is significant because the camp brings developing domestic bowlers into direct contact with coaches working at the senior international level.
High Performance Director Aqib Javed also met the players on the final day.
Abuzar, Razaullah Earn Camp Honours
Two Peshawar-region fast bowlers received individual recognition at the end of the programme.
Abuzar was named the camp’s best bowler, while Razaullah received the Bowler of the Camp recognition, according to Express Urdu.
Both players were among the uncapped pacers originally called up by the PCB.
The original 12-member pace group comprised Razaullah, Mohammad Salman, Qayyum Khan, Abdul Subhan, Abuzar, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Muhammad Imran, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Ahmed Daniyal, Akif Javed, Mohammad Hasnain and Faheem Ashraf.
Seven of those fast bowlers were uncapped when the squad was announced, reflecting the programme’s emphasis on developing Pakistan’s bowling depth rather than focusing exclusively on established internationals.
PCB Looking to Expand Bowling Pool
The development camp forms part of the NCA’s broader player-development programme.
The PCB said when announcing the camp that the selected bowlers would work closely with both NCA personnel and Pakistan’s white-ball coaching staff on technical and tactical development.
The mix of emerging players and internationally capped bowlers is notable.
Alongside uncapped prospects, the pace group included experienced names such as Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Hasnain, Akif Javed, Ahmed Daniyal and Mohammad Salman Mirza.
This provides coaches with an opportunity to assess developing players in the same high-performance environment as bowlers with international experience.
Spinners Up Next at NCA
Attention will now shift to spin bowling.
The second five-day phase is scheduled to run at the NCA from August 31 to September 4.
The PCB selected eight spinners: Mehran Mumtaz, Mubasir Khan, Saad Masood, Faisal Akram, Arafat Minhas, Abrar Ahmed, Danish Aziz and Mohammad Nawaz.
Mehran was the only uncapped spinner in the original group, while the remaining players have senior international experience.
The two-phase programme brings the total number of selected bowlers to 20 — 12 pacers and eight spinners.
For Pakistan, the initiative represents another attempt to widen the pool of bowlers available for domestic and international cricket while providing emerging talent with direct access to national-level coaching expertise.
The immediate pace phase has now concluded, but the overall Bowlers Development Camp will remain in progress until the spinners complete their programme on September 4.
