PCB becomes first cricket board to introduce AI-powered TruMan 3 bowling machine

ISLAMABAD, Jul 06 (APP): Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday unveiled the state-of-the-art TruMan 3 AI-powered bowling machine at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) Lahore, becoming the first cricket board in the world to adopt the cutting-edge technology for player development.

In a video released by the PCB, Director High Performance Aaqib Javed and cricketer Salman Ali Agha highlighted the features and benefits of the new machine, which is designed to simulate realistic match scenarios for batters.

Calling it “the latest in cricket technology,” Aaqib Javed said, “TruMan 3 is the most advanced bowling machine available today, and the Pakistan Cricket Board is the first cricket board to use it.”

He said the machine overcomes one of the biggest shortcomings of conventional bowling machines.

“With traditional bowling machines, it is difficult for batters to pick the bowler’s release point. This machine displays a high-contrast LED animation of the bowler on a front screen, allowing batters to read the action, release point and timing just as they would in a real match,” he said.

Aaqib explained that the machine could be fully programmed before a training session.

“Coaches can customise pace, line, length, swing, bounce and even the height of the delivery. Individual balls, overs and entire spells can be saved and replayed to recreate match situations. It also allows players to prepare against the style and action of specific bowlers,” he said.

He added that the technology provides batters with match-like preparation and helps bridge the gap between practice and competitive cricket.

Salman Ali Agha termed the innovation a major step forward for player development.

“This machine helps prepare us for the challenges of modern-day cricket. Because the ball is released in sync with the bowler’s action shown on the screen, you have to maintain the same timing that you would in an actual match,” he said.

He admitted that adjusting to the system initially required effort but said the benefits were significant.

“It feels challenging at first, but once you get used to it, it makes a real difference to your batting. I believe this technology will play an important role in improving batters, and players will benefit from it even more in the future,” Salman said.

The AI-powered TruMan 3 enables coaches to create highly customised training sessions by storing and replaying different delivery sequences, providing players with realistic, match-like practice in preparation for elite-level cricket.