MULTAN
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has introduced a sports psychology programme at the ongoing U-19 Skill Development Camp in Multan, marking a significant step towards the holistic development of the country’s emerging cricketers. A total of 31 players are currently attending the camp under the supervision of head coach Shahid Anwar. The initiative was designed to strengthen players’ mental resilience, improve emotional balance, and enhance their ability to perform under pressure alongside their technical and physical training.
PCB Director High Performance Aqib Javed visited the camp and interacted with the young cricketers, encouraging them to take full advantage of the opportunity to develop all aspects of their game.Head coach Shahid Anwar said the camp had entered its second phase, with the training program refined after an initial assessment to meet the specific needs of each player. Special emphasis was being placed on game awareness and decision-making, while the upcoming tour of England would provide valuable exposure to different playing conditions.
He added that the Sports Psychology Program opens an important new dimension to the budding talent, enabling them to better manage pressure and improve their on-field performance. Sports Psychologist Dr. Ahmed Bilal stressed that mental preparation was as important as technical and physical training for young cricketers.
He said the objective of the program was to equip players with the mental strength required to deliver consistent performances under pressure, adding that developing such skills at a young age was an investment in their future careers.
Director High Performance Aqib Javed welcomed the introduction of the programme at the U-19 level, saying young players were more receptive to learning and self-improvement at this stage of their careers.
He said the PCB aimed to instil discipline, hard work and mental toughness in future national players. He added that the upcoming England tour would provide an excellent opportunity for the youngsters to polish their skills in different conditions and will help produce cricketers capable of succeeding in all environments and prepared to meet future challenges in every aspect of the game.
