Lahore - Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar M Khan Monday inaugurated the PCB biomechanics laboratory setup in collaboration with the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS).

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the PCB chairman termed the facility a step forward in modern era of cricket saying it would help in raising Pakistan cricket standards by checking the faults and suspect bowling action of the players and bowlers at early stage. Also present on the occasion were LUMS vice chancellor Dr Sohail Naqvi, PCB COO Subhan Ahmad, Test cricketer M Hafeez, former Test cricketer Mushtaq Ahmad and national team assistant manager Shahid Aslam.

“We are thankful to Almighty that after eight years, our own biomechanics lab has been established with the cooperation of LUMS. It is going to help Pakistan cricket and other sports in a very beneficial manner to rectify the faults of cricketers and sportsmen associated with other games,” he added.

Shaharyar said efforts would be made to get the lab certified from International Cricket Council (ICC) and its experts would be invited to visit Pakistan to inspect the facility to check its working and overall standards.

“After the ICC certification, it would become the 8th such facility worldwide. The allied equipment of the lab was bought eight years ago but it could not become functional owing to different reasons and during the course of time its two cameras become out of order which have been replaced,” he added.

The PCB chief said the lab would function in LUMS and most modern techniques including use of robot and drone would be used to judge the suspect bowling action of the bowlers. “M Hafeez bowling action will also be checked in the same lab and will be sent to ICC lab for its outcome. We will also be testing bowlers with suspect bowling action reported during the last domestic season.”

Replying to a query, he said at a later stage, the lab would be shifted to a better and spacious place. He said Pakistan’s new foreign head coach Mickey Arthur would be reaching here to take up his assignment with the Pakistan cricket team and the coaches and allied staff of the team will be named with his consultation.

He said three cricket teams including Pakistan senior team, Pakistan A and Pakistan women team would be visiting England this summer.

The PCB chief said playing conditions were always difficult in England and it was hoped that all the three teams would rise to the occasion to exhibit good performance to achieve desired results.

Shaharyar said the board has invited Afghanistan cricket team to visit Pakistan and to play two matches in Quetta where foolproof security would be provided to the visiting team.

He said national school championship will be organised in August across the country and one thousand schools will be taking part in it. “The most outstanding talent shortlisted from this event will be groomed at national cricket academy keeping an eye on future of Pakistan cricket.”

Speaking on the occasion, LUMS vice chancellor Dr Sohail Naqvi said the lab would help in overcoming the issue of suspect bowling action besides evaluating the overall health standards of a cricketer or an athlete. “It is most modern facility which will be helping our sports to ensure a better future of our cricket and other games,” he said.