Lahore (GNP): The Pakistan Cricket Board has introduced a cutting-edge Trueman 3 bowling machine at the National Cricket Academy, continuing its push to equip players with training tools that closely mimic real match conditions.
The machine features a bright LED screen at the front displaying an animated bowler whose action is timed precisely with the ball’s release. Because these animations are modeled on genuine bowling actions, batters can practice their trigger movements, decision-making, and shot sequencing in a setting that closely resembles actual gameplay.
Coaches and players using the machine can customize variables such as line, length, pace, swing, and bounce. It also allows individual deliveries, full overs, or bowling spells to be stored and replayed either in a set order or shuffled randomly to recreate unpredictable, match-like scenarios.
High-Performance Director Aqib Javed explained that the Trueman 3 represents the newest available technology in this space, making the PCB the first cricket board in the world to adopt it. He noted that conventional bowling machines often make it hard for batters to adjust to a bowler’s release point, trigger timing, and overall rhythm. With this new system, he said, batters can watch the bowler’s animation on screen and time their movements accordingly, while the machine’s settings can also be tailored to an individual player’s specific training needs — helping recreate something very close to a real match situation.
Pakistan all-rounder Salman Ali Agha, who tried out the machine at the academy, told PCB Digital that its biggest strength lies in letting batters connect their practice directly to real match scenarios. He pointed out that as the game evolves with new shots and techniques, tools like this help players stay prepared for those changes. He added that facing the machine feels much like facing an actual bowler running in to deliver, since the ball arrives in sync with a bowling action, requiring the same kind of timing needed in a real game. He expressed confidence that the technology would help batters continue improving and that its benefits would grow even further over time.
“It feels like a bowler is running in and bowling. The ball comes with an action, so you have to match your timing like you do in a match. I think this technology will help batters improve further and we will benefit even more from it in future.”
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
