Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) ongoing skills development camp in Lahore is entering its final stages, but its efforts have been labelled as little more than a publicity stunt by former wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal.
In a stinging assessment, Kamran Akmal questioned both the purpose and professionalism of the camp, which is currently being held at the National Cricket Academy.
“Tell me, what has been done professionally so far?” Akmal asked. “This camp with 47 boys, Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 3 — what are they going to learn in just one week? It’s nothing but a waste of money and a waste of time. It’s all just drama, nothing more.”
PCB’s skills development camp was designed to provide focused training, fitness guidance, and skill enhancement under the watchful eye of former international players and senior coaches during a period of no international cricket for the players.
However, Akmal, who has himself been part of the country’s cricketing setup for over two decades, clearly sees little value in the approach.
His comments have sparked fresh debate over the effectiveness of short-term training initiatives, particularly given the national team’s performances across formats in recent months. While PCB officials have highlighted the camp as a step towards nurturing young talent and addressing gaps in player development, Akmal’s remarks suggest that those efforts are being viewed as cosmetic rather than meaningful by some within the cricketing fraternity.
As the camp enters its final phase, it remains to be seen whether the players involved will be able to benefit in the limited time available—or if, as Akmal fears, this will go down as another well-intentioned but ultimately ineffective initiative.
