Former Pakistan pace bowler Sarfraz Nawaz, who has otherwise been a staunch critic of the current Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) under Ijaz Butt, has praised him for organising a training camp at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) for emerging players.
Sarfraz was recently appointed as coach for fast bowlers at the PCB’s Fast Track Coaching Programme.
“This camp is a good idea by Ijaz Butt. It’s a step in the right direction by the PCB Chairman, and having guys like Abdul Qadir also working with the spinners is a fantastic idea,” PakPassion quoted Sarfraz, as saying.
“These camps are crucial in the development of young cricketers in Pakistan and for the benefit and future of Pakistani cricket,” he added.
He said he was supposed to be in England, but postponed his trip when asked by the PCB to oversee the bowlers. “The Board asked me for my terms and conditions to oversee the bowlers, my response was simple: “I don’t have any terms and conditions, you start the camp and I will work with the boys,” he stated.
The players requested to attend the camp are a mixture of current test players, upcoming youngsters and individuals who are on the fringe of international selection.
When asked which of the fast bowlers had particularly impressed him, Nawaz replied: “It’s difficult to identify individuals as all the boys have really been putting in a lot of effort. Nobody has taken it easy and there is a lot of competition at the camp and friendly rivalry.”
“However, Mohammad Talha has impressed me, as have Sohail Khan, Tanvir Ahmed and Sohail Tanvir, who is an improving bowler. In addition, Aizaz Cheema, who is deceptively quick, has impressed me. All of these boys have a lot of potential,” he added.
