Pakistani Cricketers to Be Sent to the United States for Specialised Training

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to introduce a major shift in its player development strategy by planning to send selected cricketers to the United States for specialised training. The move has been confirmed by Pakistan’s white-ball head coach Mike Hesson.

However, the proposal has not yet been finalised. The PCB is yet to announce which players will be included in the programme and when it will begin. Nevertheless, Hesson’s comments have already sparked debate within cricket circles over whether overseas training can deliver improvements that local camps have struggled to achieve.

Speaking to a local sports platform, Hesson explained that the initiative is not simply a fitness camp. Instead, players will have the opportunity to work with specialist power-hitting coaches, while also being exposed to new training methods and a different cricketing environment.

“We’re sending some players to the US. There’s some power-hitting expertise over there, and we’re exploring some options,” Hesson said.

He added that players recovering from long-term injuries are also expected to be included in the programme. During the proposed four-month training period, they will have the opportunity to rebuild and further develop their game.

The initiative forms part of a broader reform process currently underway in Pakistan cricket. Recently, the PCB appointed UK-based physiotherapist Dr Javed Mughal as Director of Sports and Exercise Medicine. Under his guidance, new assessment methods and fitness standards have been introduced at the National Cricket Academy.

According to Hesson, it will take time before the benefits of these changes become fully visible. However, he believes that learning from specialists abroad can play an equally important role. He stressed that the programme is not limited to improving physical conditioning alone.

Once all arrangements are finalised, the Pakistan Cricket Board is expected to announce the list of selected players and the detailed schedule of the training programme.