LAHORE: The Information Technology University (ITU)’s cricket analysis platform is being rolled out with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to cover Pakistan Super League (PSL).
In this regard, Vice Chancellor ITU Dr Umar Saif and PCB Chairman Najam Aziz Sethi signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at Qaddafi Stadium on Sunday.
‘Insights’ is a unique match analysis and scoring app developed by ITU for upcoming edition of Pakistan Super League and domestic matches in Pakistan including Quaid-e-Azam trophy and the Pakistan Cup. Detailed evaluation sessions were conducted with various cricket legends and PCB support staff such as analysts, scorers, trainers and other coaches.
The data collected, both of matches and individuals, will help to draw both concrete and soft analytical results to track the performance of a player from grass root level to the top, identify weak and strong areas for batters, identify the trends and factors affecting the bowling performance of every individual bowler, work on the improvements of his flaws and team selection. If the system identifies that a player is good against spin, he can be selected to play in spin-friendly conditions. On the flip side, if a player is found weak against spin, remedy work can be started.
‘Insights’ will be used in the upcoming edition of PSL 3. The platform is already being used to collect data and draw results in various cricket games, including Independence Cup and some other domestic tournaments.
The system can be used simultaneously by two users for entering the details of the same match to cover it with greater precision, ie a scorer can add scores whereas an analyst can add pitch and field information. Users can also enter in detail of every delivery eg if a four was hit, user can select, from a prepopulated list, the shot name. Similarly, the details of a batter’s dismissal, a run, a dot, or a six, all different types of scoring events can be recorded just through a few clicks.
‘Insights’ is an expert player profiling system developed by research team of ITU for PCB. The system contains a parallel scoring application, both on web and android, where the scores for the matches with minute details are entered using just an android tablet which makes it very cost effective. The scorer can enter lots of additional information alongside scores like field placement, pitch and weather information, ball pitch spot, swing and height estimation and toss information.
While addressing the ceremony, Dr Umar Saif said: “We have been silently working with PCB on this project since May 2017. This is totally unprecedented in cricket world that performance of cricket players is being digitally measured from the grass-root level. This will change the map of the Pakistan cricket for the better and help selectors, coaches, and fitness gurus make better qualitative decisions for our cricket team.”
The ITU VC expressed special thanks to Inzamamul Haq and Mushtaq Ahmed, who were approached with this idea and provided constant guidance during the development of ‘Insights’. “Credit also goes to my friend Najam Aziz Sethi for his resolve to take Pakistan cricket to new heights with his untiring efforts and openness to innovation and technology,” he said.
Najam Sethi said: “This is something that I wanted from the day one of my tenure and I am glad that we have finally made it happen for Pakistan cricket. I can see it play a vital role in the growth and development of cricket in Pakistan.”
Inzamamul Haq, the chief selector of Pakistan cricket team, said: “Mushtaq and I wanted to leave a legacy behind: a system that can serve Pakistan cricket for years to come. ‘Insights’ is the true implementation of our ideas and expertise. This can give you deeper insights into players’ performances especially in situations where no high resolution camera’s and hawk eye is available. I am thankful to Najam Sethi, PCB coaches, analysts and administration, Dr Umar Saif, project lead Talha Rehmani, and ITU team for their endless support,” he said.
Talha Rehmani, the project lead, said: “Insights comes from the merger of state-of-the-art technology and cricket expertise. We have a long way to go. It will change the way we interpret and approach players’ performances for better. It will also help our coaches and fitness trainers to customize the players’ routines & exercises and focus on relevant areas.”
Published in Daily Times, February 19th 2018.