Latest news with #Aqib
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Aqib Javed addresses Babar Azam's T20I future
Pakistan's high-performance director Aqib Javed clarified that no cricketer, including former captain Babar Azam, is permanently excluded from the national T20 squad, stating that team selection remains performance-based. Speaking at a press conference held at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Aqib dismissed speculation that Babar Azam had been sidelined from Pakistan's T20 plans. "Whether it's Babar or any other player, the game is open to everyone. If Babar or anyone else performs well, they will earn their place,' he said. He added that players themselves are often best positioned to understand which formats suit their skillsets. 'There are numerous challenges for them, and they must be prepared to face them,' Aqib noted. Addressing broader plans for Pakistan cricket, Aqib expressed optimism about the national side's prospects in the ongoing ICC World Test Championship cycle. 'If the process continues, Pakistan has very good prospects in this Test championship cycle. We will see Pakistan in a strong position,' he said. He announced that both white-ball and red-ball training camps will be held in July. These sessions are designed to help prepare players for the upcoming Test series against South Africa and future white-ball fixtures. Aqib also outlined plans for development across all levels of cricket. He revealed that a biomechanics lab is being set up at the National Cricket Academy, with renewed focus on academy-based training. Additionally, he announced the establishment of a women's high-performance centre at the Karachi academy. Other regional centres will be tailored for different age groups: Sialkot for Under-13, Faisalabad for Under-17, and Multan for Under-19 cricketers.
Business Recorder
7 days ago
- Sport
- Business Recorder
Biomechanics lab being set up at NCA: Aqib Javed
LAHORE: Director High-Performance Aqib Javed has announced setting up of a biomechanics laboratory here at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), which will not only help assess bowling actions but also support injury prevention from the Under-15 level to first-class cricket players. 'We have also acquired new coaching tools to help batters, bowlers and fielders enhance their skills,' he said, adding: 'Also, we are acquiring Baseball technology to improve the art of spin bowling and launching an information portal at the NCA to highlight its activities, which will be reintegrated with regional cricket.' Talking about the short- and long-term plans he has set for himself as Director High Performance, he said, 'Over the next six months, I have set myself a target to bring about visible improvement. We are coordinating with head coach Mike Hesson to identify areas where players need focused development. The long-term plan focuses on nurturing U-15, U-17, and U-19 players.' On Coach Education Course, Aqib said, 'We already have qualified coaches from Level 1 to Level 4. It is a misconception that Pakistan lack coaches. We are going to introduce 'game education', which will cover coach, umpire, trainer and physio education. This will expand the pool of qualified professionals and boost their confidence.' He said, 'After completing the Level 3 coaching course, coaches will need to specialise in a specific area batting, bowling or fielding. This will enhance their expertise and then they will go to work with franchise cricket.' In an interview hosted by the former Test fast bowler, Aqib discussed about various academy projects covering men's, women's cricket as well as age-group cricket. He shared his thoughts on enhancing coach education system. On his vision for the High-Performance Centre, Aqib Javed said, 'The role of NCA needs to be clearly defined. Its primary function should be to fill the gaps evident in the Pakistan team across all three formats. We have compiled a list of players, identifying a need to have three backup players on the back of one player.' On the allocation of academies for different age groups and women cricketers, Aqib revealed, 'The Karachi High Performance Centre will now cater to women cricketers, providing facilities to support their diet, training and skill development. The Multan HPC will be dedicated to U-19 players, with a group of 30 selected for specialised training. The Faisalabad centre will be used for U-17 players, while Sialkot's HPC will focus on grooming 30 U-15 players.' When asked what he wants to achieve as an administrator after working in the current post, Aqib replied, 'I have set a target for the next six months where noticeable progress can be seen. After a year, I want people to say, what great facilities this academy has.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Time of India
01-05-2025
- Time of India
Criminal with 25K bounty nabbed after encounter
Kanpur: police arrested a wanted criminal, who carried a cash reward of Rs 25,000 on his head, in the wee hours on Thursday. The criminal sustained bullet injury in the leg and was admitted to hospital for treatment. Police said acting on a tip-off about the movements of the criminal identified as Aqib, police conducted a checking drive near Govind Puri bridge at GMC Line late around 1 am Thursday. When the criminal arrived and was asked to stop, he fired at the police. In the retaliatory action, the criminal was shot in the leg and then arrested. ACP Swaroop Nagar Indra Prakash Singh said the injured accused was admitted to Lala Lajpat Rai hospital for treatment. police also recovered a 3150-bore firearm, two used cartridges, and two live cartridges from his possession. A case of police encounter has been registered at Fazalganj police station and legal proceedings are underway,he added. He further said preliminary investigation suggests Aqib was planning another criminal activity in the area, when he was intercepted. The recovered firearm will be sent for forensic analysis to establish links with other crimes in the region. The Fazalganj police station has formed a special team to investigate Aqib's criminal network and possible accomplices. The police have increased patrolling in the vicinity to maintain law and order. Station House Officer of Fazalganj police station confirmed that Aqib would be produced before the magistrate once discharged from the hospital. The police are also examining CCTV footage from the area to gather additional evidence about the encounter.
Time of India
26-04-2025
- Time of India
4-yr-old girl injured by glass-coated kite string
Bhopal: A four-year-old girl riding on a scooter with her parents suffered a deep neck injury after being struck by 'manjha' (a glass-coated kite string) in Gautam Nagar. Police have registered a case against an unidentified person and launched an investigation into the incident. According to police, the complainant, Aqib Khan, 28, a resident of Sonagiri, Piplani, runs a car workshop in Ratnagiri. On Friday evening, he was riding his scooter with his wife and two children, heading towards VIP Road via Karond, with his daughter, Shafiya, seated in front. Around 5.45 pm, as Aqib descended the Arif Nagar Bridge and passed an open ground, a severed kite string suddenly caught Shafiya's neck, causing a deep cut and heavy bleeding. Aqib rushed her to a hospital, where doctors treated her with stitches and bandaging. Later, Aqib lodged a complaint at Gautam Nagar police station. A case of negligence has been registered against an unidentified person. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo Bhopal: A four-year-old girl riding on a scooter with her parents suffered a deep neck injury after being struck by 'manjha' (a glass-coated kite string) in Gautam Nagar. Police have registered a case against an unidentified person and launched an investigation into the incident. According to police, the complainant, Aqib Khan, 28, a resident of Sonagiri, Piplani, runs a car workshop in Ratnagiri. On Friday evening, he was riding his scooter with his wife and two children, heading towards VIP Road via Karond, with his daughter, Shafiya, seated in front. Around 5.45 pm, as Aqib descended the Arif Nagar Bridge and passed an open ground, a severed kite string suddenly caught Shafiya's neck, causing a deep cut and heavy bleeding. Aqib rushed her to a hospital, where doctors treated her with stitches and bandaging. Later, Aqib lodged a complaint at Gautam Nagar police station. A case of negligence has been registered against an unidentified person.
Express Tribune
16-02-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Fielding, batting must improve: Rizwan
Pakistan's white-ball captain, Mohammad Rizwan, has called for better fielding after his team's disappointing defeat in the final of the tri-nation ODI series against New Zealand at the National Bank Stadium on Friday. After the match, Rizwan acknowledged the team's weaknesses in the fielding department. Speaking at the post-match presentation, he said, "We need to improve our fielding. If we look at all three games, there is much room for improvement. This is one area where we have been lacking." Rizwan also stressed the importance of focusing on fielding ahead of the ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025, which begins on February 19. The Pakistan captain also pointed out that his team's total was not enough to defend. Rizwan, who had scored a match-winning century against South Africa on Wednesday, said, "We were 15 runs short of a defendable total. We wanted to bat first because we thought the pitch would be tougher in the second half, but their bowlers restricted us well. We were aiming for 280, but they kept things tight." Rizwan also discussed his own crucial wicket, adding, "Agha and I were trying to build a partnership, but their bowlers didn't give us many scoring opportunities. When I got out, it was a big blow." Chasing 243, New Zealand comfortably reached the target with 28 balls to spare. After an early setback at 5/1, Kane Williamson (34) and Devon Conway (48) steadied the innings. Mitchell and Latham then shared an 87-run partnership to take New Zealand to the brink of victory. Glenn Phillips (20*) finished the job. Earlier, Pakistan were bowled out for 242, with Mohammad Rizwan top-scoring with 46. O'Rourke's four wickets and contributions from Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell helped New Zealand bowl Pakistan out. Pak head coach Aqib backs Babar as opener Pakistan's head coach Aqib Javed has expressed his strong belief in Babar Azam's ability to lead the team from the top of the order. He stated, "I believe Babar Azam should open in these conditions. I am hopeful that he will play a big innings in important match." Aqib's comments come as part of his overall strategy for the team, focusing on a balanced approach to batting and the crucial middle overs. Aqib also emphasized the importance of batting between the 11th and 40th overs, a phase he considers vital for building strong partnerships. "When Pakistan loses early wickets, it puts pressure on the batsmen facing the opposition's spinners," he said, explaining how early dismissals impact the team's performance. However, he also highlighted that if the top order remains intact, opposition spinners are less likely to dominate. Reflecting on the team's performance and pitch conditions, Aqib added, "From the start, we could tell that today's pitch wasn't one for big scores, which is why we chose to bat first." He further noted that had Pakistan managed to reach a score of 270, the result could have been different, emphasizing the need for the top three batsmen to play longer innings on such pitches. Aqib remains optimistic about Pakistan's future performances. "This same team will perform very well in the Champions Trophy. After losing one or two matches, people think the team is not good enough, but this team has everything it needs to be at the top," he added. He also discussed the team's composition, stressing the need for a balance of spin and pace all-rounders. "We needed spin all-rounders and pace all-rounders, which is why Khushdil Shah and Faheem Ashraf are part of the team. When playing in a tournament, it's important to have variety," he explained. Aqib also praised Khushdil Shah for his impressive bowling performances in both matches. "Every team has one specialist spinner and one all-rounder, and Khushdil has bowled well in the previous and today's matches," he further added. Aqib concluded by saying, "If Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam can form a solid partnership at the top of the order, things will improve greatly."
