Jhang pacer Qayum Khan clocks over 150 km, catches PCB’s eye

WEB DESK: Jhang’s young fast bowler Qayum Khan has caught the attention of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) after clocking speeds of more than 150 kilometres per hour, emerging as one of the latest pace prospects being groomed for the national team.

The promising pacer has been called up to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore, where he has begun specialised training as the PCB looks to develop a new generation of express fast bowlers.

Fast bowling has long been regarded as one of Pakistan cricket’s biggest strengths, and the PCB’s High Performance Centre is now stepping up efforts to discover and prepare young pacers capable of carrying that legacy forward.

Qayum, who hails from Jhang, recently represented the Sports Board Punjab in a Grade-II tournament, where he impressed with his pace and bowling ability. He first came into the spotlight through the Prime Minister’s Talent Hunt Programme.

PCB Director High Performance Aaqib Javed described Qayum as a rare talent discovered by the board, highlighting his ability to bowl at speeds exceeding 150 km/h. He said the young pacer is undergoing intensive training during the current season, with plans to give him a bigger platform next season.

Qayum is not the only young pacer on the PCB’s radar. Ali Raza, Razaullah, Abdul Subhan and Abu Zarr are also capable of bowling above 145 km/h and are being developed as potential future options for Pakistan.

Aaqib Javed said Pakistan cricket is incomplete without quality pace bowling, adding that the PCB is aiming to produce three to four express fast bowlers by next year to add greater speed to the national setup.

The specialised fast-bowling camp at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore is being conducted under the supervision of Pakistan’s national team fast-bowling coach Ashley Noffke. The camp will continue until August 28.