Aqib committed to improving cricket through PCB academies
Nine of the world’s top-10 men and nine of the top-10 women have officially entered into the US Open’s revamped mixed doubles event, tournament organisers said on Tuesday, with former singles champions Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu teaming up.
The competition, which will take place a week before the singles main draw during its “Fan Week”, will award $1 million in prize money to the winning team.
Sixteen teams have entered and the entry window closes on July 28, after which the top eight teams with the best combined singles ranking will be in the draw via direct acceptance, with eight more wildcard entries.
“In our initial discussions about reimagining and elevating the US Open mixed doubles championship, we wanted to find a way to showcase the world’s best men and women competing with and against one another,” USTA CEO Lew Sherr said.“Players nowadays move from one competition to another, but they don’t get personal time in the off-season to work on skills or fitness. In this programme, they will get the opportunity to work on their game,” he said, adding that the doors of selection were open for both Babar and Rizwan.
“No player, including Babar, has been ruled out of white-ball cricket,” he said. “The game is open. Anyone who performs has the right to play, whether it’s Babar or someone else.”
Addressing the state of club cricket, Aaqib acknowledged its decline over the years and stressed the need to support functioning institutions.
“In our era, club, school and college cricket were very strong. But now, club cricket has almost vanished due to reduced grounds and logistical issues. The PCB must support clubs that are still working and producing players for national teams,” he said.
Aaqib recalled that the National Cricket Academy, when initially launched in the early 2000s, was a vital platform to groom regional and district talent. However, he lamented that it remained largely inactive for over a decade, contributing to the national team’s decline.“The role of academies is to prepare players in the domestic system. There are many things they need to learn, such as communication skills, awareness about diet, training, and fielding basics like sliding and diving,” he noted. “Unless you upgrade facilities with science and technology, you can’t compete with the world.”
He also outlined year-round plans for the NCA, which will feature continuous training across formats and age levels.
“Specialised camps for spinners, wicket-keepers, fast bowlers, and openers will be organised. The system has started today, and I can see results in six months, whether in women’s cricket, Under-19, or the national men’s team,” he said.
He further elaborated on the structure of academies: Karachi will host women’s cricket camps, Sialkot has been designated for Under-15, Faisalabad for Under-17, and Multan for Under-19 players. The NCA will cater to emerging talent, Pakistan ‘A’, and the national squad.
When asked about a reported rift with Rizwan over authority in team matters, Aaqib dismissed such claims.
“Whether it’s Rizwan or any captain, we’ve never had a disagreement, “ he said. “Decisions are made together. I don’t recall any instance where we weren’t on the same page.”
Aaqib stressed the need for process continuity to ensure long-term development.
“If you prepare 30 Under-15 players today, in three to four years they’ll be in Under-19, then Pakistan Shaheens or the national team. If this system keeps running, Pakistan will be in a strong position for the next World Test Championship,” he concluded.
