MULTAN – Pakistan Cricket Board has introduced a structured sports psychology programme as part of the ongoing U19 Skills Development Camp in Multan, reinforcing its commitment in the development of country’s emerging cricketers.
The camp which began in the third week of June features 31 players who are undergoing an intensive programme comprising skill-based training, fitness conditioning, practice matches and scenario-based sessions under the supervision of head coach Shahid Anwar and his coaching staff.
The newly introduced sports psychology programme is designed to strengthen the players’ mental preparation alongside their technical and physical development. The programme includes psychological assessments, group workshops focusing on team unity and one-on-one sessions aimed at helping players build mental toughness, emotional control, resilience and the ability to perform under pressure.
The players are also preparing for the upcoming tour of England, where they will experience different playing conditions before shifting their focus towards the ACC U19 Asia Cup and later for the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup.
Pakistan U19 are the defending champions of Asia Cup after they defeated India in the final of the event which took place in UAE in December 2025.
Director High Performance Aqib Javed visited the camp on Wednesday, where he addressed the players, shared insights from his playing and coaching career and stressed the importance of discipline, hard work and continuous learning in a young cricketer’s development. He later observed players’ training session and interacted with the coaching staff.
Dr Ahmed Bilal, Sports Psychologist said that “Mental preparation is as important as technical and physical preparation in a young cricketer’s journey. Through this programme, we are helping the players develop the mental skills required to perform consistently under pressure.
“We began with psychological assessments to understand each player’s strengths and areas for improvement. The programme then progresses through group sessions to improve team cohesion, followed by individual consultations focusing on resilience, confidence and emotional control.
“Learning these mental skills at a young age helps players develop habits that will benefit them throughout their careers. Our aim is to equip them with the mindset to recover quickly from setbacks, remain disciplined and perform with confidence in challenging situations.”
Shahid Anwar, Head Coach, said “The camp has now moved into its second phase after we assessed the players during the opening weeks. Our training programme has been designed around those observations, with particular emphasis on improving game awareness, running between the wickets and decision-making.
“The tour to England will provide valuable exposure to different playing conditions and will play an important role in the players’ development ahead of the Asia Cup and the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup.
“The introduction of the sports psychology programme has added another important dimension to the camp. It is helping the players understand how to deal with pressure, stay mentally strong and prepare themselves for the demands of competitive cricket.”
Aqib Javed, Director High Performance said, “Developing future Pakistan cricketers requires equal emphasis on skill, fitness and mental strength. Introducing sports psychology at the U19 level is an important investment because players are more receptive to learning and adapting at this stage of their careers.
“The pathway from U19 cricket to Pakistan Shaheens and ultimately the national team begins with building the right habits. We want these young players to embrace discipline, hard work and continuous improvement so they are ready to compete at the highest level.
“Tours such as the upcoming visit to England are vital for their development. Experiencing different conditions and learning to adapt will prepare them for future international cricket, while our long-term objective remains producing players capable of serving Pakistan successfully for many years.
