Foreign biomechanist to assist PCB in building modern cricket research facility

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to seek assistance from a foreign biomechanist for the construction of a modern cricket research facility at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore.

The national cricketing body said that this initiative will be aimed at improving player performance analysis and preventing injuries.

The PCB has identified a site at the NCA for the establishment of the state-of-the-art biomechanics laboratory, which is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

The upcoming facility will feature advanced cameras, sensors, force plates and other modern equipment to conduct detailed assessments of players’ movements, bowling actions and physical workload.

PCB Director High Performance Aaqib Javed said experts from Britain’s Loughborough University and other international institutions would be consulted for the development of the biomechanics lab.

Speaking to Hum News, Aaqib Javed said the facility would help identify technical flaws in bowlers’ actions, analyse stress on specific muscles and determine bowling angles to reduce injury risks.

“Biomechanics is important for injury prevention, and it will help us understand the load on a bowler’s body and improve their actions,” Aaqib Javed said.

He said Pakistan currently lacked a modern research centre of this nature, adding that the previous system had completed its lifespan.

“Our discussions with Loughborough University are underway, and they will support us in establishing the facility,” he added.

Aaqib Javed said players from the Under-15 level to the senior national team would undergo assessments at the new biomechanics laboratory.

Sources said the PCB had previously conducted biomechanics tests of players through LUMS, which housed an ICC-approved biomechanics laboratory before it was discontinued four years ago.

The construction of the biomechanics laboratory at the National Cricket Academy has already been approved by the PCB Board of Governors.