The fast track training camp for fast bowlers and batsmen ended two days prior to the scheduled time and from Monday the camp for spinners and wicket-keepers will start at the National Cricket Academy.
Sarfraz Nawaz and Aaqib Javed supervised the fast bowlers training camp while Mohsin Hasan Khan and Ijaz Ahmed looked after the batsmen during the camp. The practice was held under the supervision and guidance of Intikhab Alam.
The batting trainees included the likes of Taufique Umar, Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Usman Salahuddin, Umar Akmal, Naveed Yasin, Umar Amin, Sharjeel Khan, Saeed Anwar, Mohammad Ayub, Babar Azam and Shan Masood and according to Mohsin Khan flaws in their batting style were removed. In bowling Sohail Khan, Sohail Tanveer, Mohammad Talha, Sadaf Hussain, Hammad Azam, Tanveer Ahmed, Mohammad Khalil, Abdul Rauf, Nasrullah and Asad Ali and Aizaz Cheema trained and took the ball grip and delivery tips in different conditions from Sarfraz. Umer Gul, Junaid Khan and Wahab Riaz, though named for the camp training, could not attend due to their county or league commitments. Pakistan fast bowlers Talha and Sohail said that they have made significant improvements in the camp. Talha, whose only Test cap for Pakistan came in the game that was unfortunately due to the attack on the Sri Lanka team bus, said the camp helped him correct some of his mistakes. “Camps like this should take place more often as they give bowlers a fair opportunity to rectify their mistakes and enhance their ability,” Talha said. Talha said he had benefited from Sarfraz’s advice. “Sarfaraz has given us various tips which will help us improve. I hope to be considered for the national side when I sign off from the camp as I want an opportunity to prove myself.” Sohail was also optimistic about his chances of getting back into the Pakistan squad. He, like Talha, has played only one Test for Pakistan, in which he failed to pick up a wicket. Sohail put his poor debut down to fitness concerns and said the camp had helped him grow stronger. “Many players have faced similar situations in the past, but the coaches at the camp are helping me get fully fit through various methods. I am now 100 per cent fit to play international cricket.” Sohail also said he could benefit from the recent rule-change in ODIs mandating the use of two new balls, one from each end. “I have been bowling a lot faster with a new ball. In fact, I have always preferred to use a new ball, as reverse swing has never been one of my priorities.”
Pakistan’s next assignment is a tour to Zimbabwe beginning in August after which they host Sri Lanka in the UAE. Sohail, who was the leading wicket-taker in the recently concluded National Twenty20 Cup, and Talha, who had an impressive first-class season, will both be on the selectors’ radar. The spinners and wicket-keepers camp will start from Monday and leg spin legend Abdul Qadir will impart training to the spinners while the former best wicket-keepers will train the upcoming keepers. The second phase of the camp will conclude on before Ramazan. The second phase short listed players are Zulfiqar Babar, Rameez Raja, Raza Hassan, Saad Nasim, Yasir Shah, Usman Qadir, Atif Maqbool, Faisal Tahir, Rohail Ali. Saeed Ajmal’s name has also been given but his participation is highly unlikely as he will be in England.
