Promising young cricketer Khawaja Mohammad Nafay has hailed the National Cricket Academy (NCA) Skills Development Camp in Lahore as a transformative experience, crediting its structure, coaching insight, and intensity for pushing players closer to international standards.
The second phase of the Skills Development Camp, which began on 23 June, concludes on Saturday (29 June) with 15 players having participated in six days of intense training and learning under the supervision of the NCA coaching panel.
Speaking to the media during the camp, Nafay expressed satisfaction with the program’s structure and highlighted the effort and discipline involved. “We wake up at 4:30 am and our session begins at 6 am. We have been learning a lot from Abdul Razzaq regarding power-hitting, and playing spinners has enhanced our skillset,” said the 22-year-old.
Nafay, who impressed many with his clean hitting during the recent HBL Pakistan Super League, also revealed that the coaching staff had identified his potential as a wicketkeeper, a role he is now embracing alongside his batting. “In modern-day cricket, you have to have multiple roles in the team, and the coaches have identified my potential as a wicketkeeper, so I am working on those skills as well,” he added.
The camp has been built around skill-specific sessions and scenario-based indoor matches, with a particular focus on fitness, adaptability, and role flexibility—traits critical in modern cricket. On Friday, players were tested in high-pressure indoor simulations, helping them sharpen tactical decision-making and shot selection.
Nafay, who has emerged as a rising star in domestic T20 leagues, also took a moment to reflect on his time with Sir Vivian Richards during the HBL PSL as part of the Quetta Gladiators. “We used to watch his old batting videos and then ask him questions. He often said the key to his game was belief—and that message stuck with us. It was a privilege to learn from a legend like him,” Nafay shared.
Looking ahead, Nafay reiterated his ambition to contribute to Pakistan’s success across all formats, saying, “My target is to contribute to Pakistan’s success in all formats while sticking to my natural game. The coaches have guided us to prepare well and train hard for upcoming challenges.”
The third phase of the NCA Skills Development Camp will commence on 30 June and continue until 5 July at the National Cricket Academy, Lahore, as the PCB continues to invest in grooming the next generation of all-format cricketers.
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