NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan pacer and head coach Aaqib Javed has vowed to transform the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore into one of the most productive academies in world cricket. Aaqib, who took over as director of the NCA two months ago following his stint as interim head coach of the national teams, said he aims to make Pakistan’s academies a benchmark for other cricketing nations.“We shouldn’t have to look at other academies for guidance but develop our own system which other countries would look towards for guidance,” he said in a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) podcast.Aaqib revealed that he has set a six-month timeline to implement a structured system at the NCA and its regional branches in Karachi, Multan, and Faisalabad.“These academies should be run on a system where we groom and produce quality players of all age groups for the national teams and also provide players with the best rehabilitation facilities,” said the former cricketer, who also serves as a national selector.He noted that while the NCA in Lahore is well-equipped, it has lacked a truly effective and productive system for years.“We are also trying to restore the biomechanics equipment and lab back at the NCA after it was outsourced by the board and dedicate the academy in Karachi only for women’s cricket,” he added.
Aaqib, who has previously coached the UAE national team and served as Pakistan’s bowling coach, emphasized that his long-standing goal has been to identify and nurture talent and to establish a system that ensures academies function efficiently, regardless of changes in PCB leadership.The NCA was established in 2002–03 during the tenure of former PCB chairman Lt. General Tauqir Zia and was later renamed in honor of the late Bob Woolmer, who served as Pakistan’s head coach for four years.