PCB calls up players for skill, fitness camps

[AssassinatedDevil]

KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have summoned all centrally contracted players, along with a few others, for a fitness and a skills camp ahead of the Men in Green’s tour of the United Kingdom.

The fitness camp and testing will take place on April 9 and 10, while the skill camp begins on April 11 and runs till April 23, with players expected to depart for the tour at the end of this month.

Middle-order batsman Fawad Alam, who has been a glaring miss in the side for the past couple of years despite some stellar performances in both domestic and international circles, has also been called up for the camp and may be in line for a return to the side.

Pakistan will play against county side Kent in a four-day warm-up game before taking on Ireland in a historic Test on April 11, with the Malahide one-off Test being the first-ever played by the minnows.

After the Test, Pakistan head to England for what is likely to be a much sterner Test. Sarfraz Ahmed’s men take on the hosts in two Tests followed by a couple of T20I clashes with Scotland.

Pakistan continue to place particular importance on fitness and the two-day test takes place before the squad for the three Tests is announced. The test will have a bearing on the final selection and the selected players will then be involved in the skills camp.

Three or four players are expected to then be sent for the Scotland T20Is as Pakistan seek to continue the form that has seen them top the T20I rankings for some time now.

Fortunes in Test cricket have not been as good though, with Pakistan suffering a 2-0 whitewash against Sri Lanka at home that saw them suffer a considerable slip down the rankings table in the longest format of the game.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/1677275/7-pcb-calls-players-skill-fitness-camps/

 

[ataullah]

according to some reliable sources saad ali will also be part of fitness camp.

 

[DRsohail]

Saad Ali will just make the fitness camp and then misses out.

 

[babajee]

I hope Fakhar Zaman will be part of the test squad at least.

 

[shokz1408]

Hope Fawad is given a hard look at, want him as part of our ODI team. We need stability in the middle order, someone to potentially hold the innings together.

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

Hope Fawad is given a hard look at, want him as part of our ODI team. We need stability in the middle order, someone to potentially hold the innings together.

He is not ODI calibre. Unless you want a 50 at 60 SR then pot luck if he can increase his SR.

He is a good fit for tests but for sure not a middle over ODI batter in this era.

He can bat all day long at 50 SR so will do well in tests.

 

[shokz1408]

He is not ODI calibre. Unless you want a 50 at 60 SR then pot luck if he can increase his SR.

He is a good fit for tests but for sure not a middle over ODI batter in this era.

He can bat all day long at 50 SR so will do well in tests.

His ODI strike rate is is 74, I think he can work on improving that, up to 90-100. He also has an average of 40. I feel he is someone that makes bowlers work really hard to get his wicket, and whenever I have seen him play for Pakistan he has given some depth to that middle order.

 

[Azeem Zafar]

Given our current pool of players & most recent perfromances, test squad for UK tour should be something like this:

1. Azhar Ali
2. Sami Aslam/Fakhar Zaman
3. Haris Sohail
4. Fawad Alam/Saad Ali
5. Asad Shafiq
6. Sarfaraz Ahmed/M.Rizwan (Backup)
7. Faheem Ashraf/Aamir Yameen
8. Shadab Khan/Yasir Shah
9. Hasan Ali/Rahat Ali
10. M. Amir
11. M.Abbas/Sadaf Hussain

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

His ODI strike rate is is 74, I think he can work on improving that, up to 90-100. He also has an average of 40. I feel he is someone that makes bowlers work really hard to get his wicket, and whenever I have seen him play for Pakistan he has given some depth to that middle order.

He is too old to work on anything. Also he looked totally out of depth against OZ last ODI he played. It was a total car crash when they worked out his shuffle. I hate his technique too just horrible. He is the past and now we have Babar and Haris who will lead the way.

 

[shokz1408]

He is too old to work on anything. Also he looked totally out of depth against OZ last ODI he played. It was a total car crash when they worked out his shuffle. I hate his technique too just horrible. He is the past and now we have Babar and Haris who will lead the way.

He still has some time to improve, he's 32. He has a unique technique, but often he scores runs. Babar has done well in the T20s format in recent times, however after watching him not able to score once properly in 5 innings in NZ odis, I have my doubts how he will do in forthcoming odi away series.

I think if he completely fails again in an away ODI series, they should consider a replacement. Nobody should be considered a permanent, players should be expected to perform, or atleast perform after learning from past failures.

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

He still has some time to improve, he's 32. He has a unique technique, but often he scores runs. Babar has done well in the T20s format in recent times, however after watching him not able to score once properly in 5 innings in NZ odis, I have my doubts how he will do in forthcoming odi away series.

I think if he completely fails again in an away ODI series, they should consider a replacement. Nobody should be considered a permanent, players should be expected to perform, or atleast perform after learning from past failures.

So you want to replace the joint quickest to 1000 runs, 3 centuries in a row run machine with the crispest technique since Saeed Anwar with a gully danda domestic hack? This is not 2013 we have other options than selecting a 32 year old with chanderapaul syndrome.

 

[shokz1408]

So you want to replace the joint quickest to 1000 runs, 3 centuries in a row run machine with the crispest technique since Saeed Anwar with a gully danda domestic hack? This is not 2013 we have other options than selecting a 32 year old with chanderapaul syndrome.

Doesn't have to be Fawad alam, but it could be. Fawad could also take another position in the team, it's not necessary that it's Babar's. Like I was saying Babar failed 5 out of 5 times in NZ, I think he was amongst the lowest scorers of the whole tour (Even hafeez scored 2 half centuries). If he does something similar against SA in SA, then don't you think it might be necessary to consider alternative options in the ODI format?

 

[b.lesner]

according to some reliable sources saad ali will also be part of fitness camp.

What about Sadaf hussain and which spinners have been called???

 

[Railu Katta]

Fawad and Sadaf fans are delusional...

 

[ataullah]

What about Sadaf hussain and which spinners have been called???

Not sure about rest of players. Fawad Alam is there though

 

[ShahidDar08]

Please no fawad alam, instead give a chance to Saad Ali and Saud Shakeel.

 

[boomboom6]

Fakhar, Fawad and Sadaf need to be in the test XI

Fakhar
Azhar
Haris
Shafiq
Fawad
Sarfaraz
Faheem
Yasir
Amir
Abbas
Sadaf

Reserves: Imam, Hasan Ali, Yamin, Nawaz, Usman Salahuddin

 

[Asch Ali]

Another Ali will be playing for Pakistan. This time, it’s Saad Ali.

1. Azhar Ali
2. Fawad Alam/Asif Ali
3. Babar Azam
4. Harris Sohail/Usman Salahuddin
5. Saad Ali
6. Asad Shafiq/Mohammed Rizwan
7. Sarfraz Ahmed
8. Shadab Khan/Mohammed Asghar
9. Hasan Ali/Rahat Ali
10. Yasir Shah
11. Mohammed Abbas

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

Its incredibly harsh but i feel its too late to look at Fawad Alam in tests. He hasnt been scoring many tons of late and then you have younger player who have been scoring a truckload like Saad Ali.

I hope our test squad is something like this

1. Fahkar/Amin
2. Azhar
3. Babar
4. Haris
5. Asad - we all know he wont be dropped, i hope this is his last chance
6. Sarfraz
7. Amer Yamin/Saad Ali
8. Yasir
9. Amir
10. Abbas
11. Hasan

12. Zafar
13. Usman
14. Riaz/ Junaid
15. Rahat/Shaheen


Will be interesting to see how fit Abbas is. It must be challenging if you arent in the team for any other format.

 

[fawad_wellwisher]

Its incredibly harsh but i feel its too late to look at Fawad Alam in tests. He hasnt been scoring many tons of late and then you have younger player who have been scoring a truckload like Saad Ali.

I hope our test squad is something like this

1. Fahkar/Amin
2. Azhar
3. Babar
4. Haris
5. Asad - we all know he wont be dropped, i hope this is his last chance
6. Sarfraz
7. Amer Yamin/Saad Ali
8. Yasir
9. Amir
10. Abbas
11. Hasan

12. Zafar
13. Usman
14. Riaz/ Junaid
15. Rahat/Shaheen


Will be interesting to see how fit Abbas is. It must be challenging if you arent in the team for any other format.

How can you forget Shan Masood? :milyas

 

[PakSarZameen]

Shahzad
Fakhar
Azhar
Babar
Haris
Shafiq
Sarfraz
Wahab
Amir
Yasir
Abbas

Fawad
Saad
Rizwan
Junaid or maybe an allrounder like Talat/Fahim/Yamin
Hasan

 

[Square Drive]

Playing XI:

Sami Aslam
Azhar Ali
Haris Sohail
Babar Azam
Asad Shafiq
Aamer Yamin/Shadab Khan
Sarfraz Ahmed* (WK)
Yasir Shah
Hasan Ali
Mohammad Amir/Zafar Gohar
Mohammad Abbas

Bench: Imam-ul-Haq, Usman Salahuddin, Fawad Alam, Shadab Khan/Aamer Yamin, Zafar Gohar/Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz

 

[hadi123]

Pakistan’s Mr. Consistent of domestic as well as international cricket, Fawad Alam has been called for a fitness and skills camp by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) ahead of the England tour.

Fawad Alam, who maintains a First Class average of 55.37 and an average of 41.66 in his three Tests played, can be a suitable replacement for either of the retired duo of Misbah Ul Haq or Younis Khan.

The board has called all the centrally contracted and few other players for a fitness camp which will take place on April 9 and 10, followed by a skills camp which is scheduled from April 11 to 23.

Pakistan will fly to UK at the end of the month to take on Kent in a four-day warm-up game before facing the Test debutants Ireland on May 11th.

Then they will head to England where the Men in Green will play two Tests against England in their backyard in absence of the experienced duo of Misbah Ul Haq and Younis Khan. The two seasoned campaigners had a great influence on Pakistan’s success the last time they faced them in their home.

Afterwards, they will take on Scotland in two T20Is, for which PCB may send three or four players from Pakistan, who have been in spectacular form in the shortest format of the game.

Fitness will be one of the priorities for the selection while selecting the squad for this all-important tour.

https://arysports.tv/fawad-alam-called-fitness-skills-camp/

 

[clean n cool]

I think imam ul haq and umer amin as openers are more suited for the test format compared to sami aslam and shan masood's past performances...
man we really need to sort out our playing 11 in tests now that odis and t20's are under control

 

[Markhor]

In late May/early June you can expect seam friendly conditions which spells trouble for our batting lineup which is already very flimsy, so I disagree with those wanting an all-rounder like Faheem Ashraf at #7. We need six specialist batsmen.

It's only a two Test series and with our bowlers not playing much red ball cricket, a four man attack should be able to handle the workload.

I'd go Azhar, Fakhar, Haris, Babar, Shafiq, Fawad, Sarfraz, Yasir, Ali, Amir, Abbas.

We have good variety in our bowling attack with the left arm seam of Amir whose best red ball bowling has come in English conditions, the pace of Hasan Ali and the accuracy of Abbas who was made to bowl in England with the Dukes. Hopefully Yasir can then keep things tight and come into play on Day 4 or 5 with Haris as a fifth bowling option.

 

[Titan24]

An all rounder in the test squad and ideally on playing 11 a must. Thats the only way main bowlers can remain fresh and this decision will also come in handy in future.

I would like it to be one of Faheem, Hussain, Shadab or Imad (might not take a wicket but will be economical so can keep an end quiet for 7-10 overs and also pretty handy with the bat avgs 39 or ao in FC)

Also Umar amin with his medium pace can do the job, did ok in 2010 eng tour with bowl

 

[Titan24]

In late May/early June you can expect seam friendly conditions which spells trouble for our batting lineup which is already very flimsy, so I disagree with those wanting an all-rounder like Faheem Ashraf at #7. We need six specialist batsmen.

It's only a two Test series and with our bowlers not playing much red ball cricket, a four man attack should be able to handle the workload.

I'd go Azhar, Fakhar, Haris, Babar, Shafiq, Fawad, Sarfraz, Yasir, Ali, Amir, Abbas.

We have good variety in our bowling attack with the left arm seam of Amir whose best red ball bowling has come in English conditions, the pace of Hasan Ali and the accuracy of Abbas who was made to bowl in England with the Dukes. Hopefully Yasir can then keep things tight and come into play on Day 4 or 5 with Haris as a fifth bowling option.

If we dont want to compromise on batting Talat can be decent at 5 down position with his technique and Sarfaraz can play 4 down. Or may be Umer Amin with his medium pace.

Atleast a batting all rounder can be there.

 

[Titan24]

Opening with Fakhar in tests can turn out to be a master stroke, I think he deserves a go at test opening slot. He was pretty good in UK CT17 and did well in NZ as well.

 

[Titan24]

An all rounder in the test squad and ideally on playing 11 a must. Thats the only way main bowlers can remain fresh and this decision will also come in handy in future.

I would like it to be one of Faheem, Hussain, Shadab or Imad (might not take a wicket but will be economical so can keep an end quiet for 7-10 overs and also pretty handy with the bat avgs 39 or ao in FC)

Also Umar amin with his medium pace can do the job, did ok in 2010 eng tour with bowl

Sorry wanted to say *Aamir Yamin instead of Faheem

 

[ask_analyse_act]

His ODI strike rate is is 74, I think he can work on improving that, up to 90-100. He also has an average of 40. I feel he is someone that makes bowlers work really hard to get his wicket, and whenever I have seen him play for Pakistan he has given some depth to that middle order.

No thanks. ODI squad is full ... MICKEY said before that fawad can get his chance in LOIs only if he hits more boundaries...

 

[shokz1408]

No thanks. ODI squad is full ... MICKEY said before that fawad can get his chance in LOIs only if he hits more boundaries...

It's not like we get so many boundaries without Fawad, e.g. NZ ODI series.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

In late May/early June you can expect seam friendly conditions which spells trouble for our batting lineup which is already very flimsy, so I disagree with those wanting an all-rounder like Faheem Ashraf at #7. We need six specialist batsmen.

It's only a two Test series and with our bowlers not playing much red ball cricket, a four man attack should be able to handle the workload.

I'd go Azhar, Fakhar, Haris, Babar, Shafiq, Fawad, Sarfraz, Yasir, Ali, Amir, Abbas.

We have good variety in our bowling attack with the left arm seam of Amir whose best red ball bowling has come in English conditions, the pace of Hasan Ali and the accuracy of Abbas who was made to bowl in England with the Dukes. Hopefully Yasir can then keep things tight and come into play on Day 4 or 5 with Haris as a fifth bowling option.

Fakhar didnt do well during the A-tour to England last time i think.

With past experience I would go with Sami Aslam as the opener..

For me i think, Azhar, Sami Aslam, Haris, Babar, Shafiq, Umar Amin, Sarfraz, Yasir, Ali, Amir, Abbas should be the 11.

reserves: Rahat ali, Hussain Talat, Shehzad, Fawad, Wahab Riaz

 

[babajee]

Fakhar didnt do well during the A-tour to England last time i think.

With past experience I would go with Sami Aslam as the opener..

For me i think, Azhar, Sami Aslam, Haris, Babar, Shafiq, Umar Amin, Sarfraz, Yasir, Ali, Amir, Abbas should be the 11.

reserves: Rahat ali, Hussain Talat, Shehzad, Fawad, Wahab Riaz

Fakhar is a different player now. He is much better than the batsman we saw even in the CT.

 

[angrypathan]

Anderson and Broad will expose Fakhar's technique badly in those May conditions. Best to debut Fakhar in our next UAE series and let him settle into test cricket first

 

[MMHS]

Any news on the names (called for the camp)?

I have a feeling that, there is too much reaction after every squad, for which Ul Haq & Arthur has decided to go silent this time. Also, there might be additional calls during the camp outside initial list, therefore they are keeping it close to chest.

As of now, for couple of Tests to give Poms enough practice before all important 5 Test IND series, I see only 4 spots solid (5 actually, Sarfraz is WK & Captain)

Opener: Azhar
Middle order: Asad
WK: Sarfraz
Pacer: Amir
Spinner: Yasir

May be we can consider Babar & Hasan as well, which makes it 7, though Babar is purely on potential there - not much under his belt (in Test). So, 4-6 spots needs to be fixed, which is really tough task considering players will be playing 1st Test within 2 weeks max after landing to an absolute alien condition from UAE or home. It's possible to keep green tracks in PAK (for practice), particularly in northern areas, but that heavy, moistly May-June English weather is impossible to replicate in subcontinent, in April-May.

For the 2nd opener's spot, probably best option is Sami, simply because he has toured UK once for 12 weeks and he is better than other 4 - Shan, Shehzad, Zaman & Imam. You ask me, I'll pick MoHa or Shan as opener and protect other young openers from Ul Haq - otherwise, he'll use that ENG tour to drop couple of them and bring back MoHa for the tough tour of ZIM.

For the 4 middle order spots - 2 are Babar at 3 & Asad at 6. So, 2 spots needs to be plucked and these 2 spots were occupied by YK & Misbah last time, therefore I don't think expectation should be that high. I pick one Haris for 2 reasons - he is good and he can support 10-12 overs with his SLAO spin (in early summer, even that's not required). Other middle order spot is probably the toughest job - heart says, it should be one of the 2 youngsters - Saud or Saad, but again that comes with a risk; if they fail, Ul Haq will dump them for 2 years at least - same treatment was given to Amin 8 years back (& Taufique Umar 12 years back, when Ul Haq was Captain). May be Fakhar at 5 isn't a bad idea as he is relatively young & already established in LO - Test failure won't be that expensive for him. I don't mind Fawad to be picked, which should bust some myth once for all.

Bowling is more or less settled with one open spot - Amir's new ball partner. I am not sure how fit he is, but I'll pick Asif without any hesitation - he can bowl 100 overs in 2 Test for sure and I am sure he is still faster than Abbas - IF he isn't fit enough, I actually would pick Rahat in XI. Wahab should be in squad, because by any chance if it's a dry surface (read less green), he comes into equation.

Rest spots should go the new faces - in a 2 Test warm-up series, there is hardly any chance to experiment, therefore unless any injury, I think identical 11 can prepare Poms enough for IND - no need to pick oldies at bench; I'll pick 5/6 youngsters to carry drinks are see how big the world is outside QeA style. My squad is

Azhar
^MoHa (Either he starts, or don't go at all - no point serving him a English spring trip)
Babar
Haris
Asad/Fakhar (If Fawad is picked, he MUST start)
Fakhar/Asad
*Sarfraz+
Amir
Hasan
Yasir
Asif/Rahat (Asif starts or doesn't tour at all)
--------------------------------------------------------------
Saud, Saad, ^Sami, Wahab, Shaheen & Umair Masood+

That's my 16 (read MoHa or Sami - if Fawad picked, then Saud misses out). No chance PAK is going to play 2 spinners, therefore ONLY 1 spinner goes - Yasir has to be fit, slight doubt, Gohar replaces him in squad. May be, they can add one new ball pacer as well - could be very raw yet, but I am tempted to carry Arshad.

** Same squad for Ireland as well and I don't mid Saud/Saad/Sami playing in that Test - BUT, if MoHa plays, it has to be ONLY at Lord's & Leeds - you don't need a player as good as Mazid Khan against Ireland, his class should be preserved for Jimmy & Berbi.

 

[babajee]

[MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] why not Babar at 4?

Kohli, Smith, Root... they all bat at 4

 

[MMHS]

[MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] why not Babar at 4?

Kohli, Smith, Root... they all bat at 4

True, but then who is going to bat at 3!!!! Asad is comfortable at 6, hence no point forcing a player out of comfort zone, where he is performing. Azhar is too limited to bat at 3 - you can check, most of his bigger innings has resulted in defeats, because he kills the momentum; his only utility is to tire up opening pacers and take the shine off - after sand-paper, I am sure there won't be much reverse swing these days for any team.

FZ isn't a Test opener - his strength is spin play, and he has the experience of taking new ball; his best spot would have been 6, but I don't want to move Asad from 6. Only option is exchange between Hari & Babar - again, Babar has been invested almost 2 years at 3, while Hari did well at 4/5; exchange doesn't ensure Babar's success, but it'll be unfair to bring Hari at 3 to face Jimmy & Beribi - Ul Haq will get his chance to increase average age of the team.

Principally, I don't disagree between Babar/Hari exchange, but as I have mentioned many times - I don't trust Ul Haq; loyalist & lobbyist personified - he'll chop one of Babar/Hari, bring Azhar at 3 and allow Shan, Imam to cash on ZIM's might.

 

[silentkiller187]

for years i have read dismay at the fact Fawad Alam was being overlooked by the PCB, now he has been picked the consensus seems that he is no good and will be exposed terribly. We need players like Fawad, and even to an extent Shoaib Malik to carry on and share their experience and balance with this exciting new young team we are nurturing.

 

[Donal Cozzie]

- article refers to Ireland as the UK
- article then refers to Ireland immediately after as "minnows"

Sigh,

 

[Kashmiri_Pak_fan]

Report...Selectors considering 3 regular openers...shaan, sami and imam.....but little chance for fakhar. No hafeez and juned..saad ali almost going to select...chances of fawad as well.

 

[b.lesner]

Report...Selectors considering 3 regular openers...shaan, sami and imam.....but little chance for fakhar. No hafeez and juned..saad ali almost going to select...chances of fawad as well.

What about Sadaf Hussain

 

[Kashmiri_Pak_fan]

What about Sadaf Hussain

Not even discussed i think.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

It's not like we get so many boundaries without Fawad, e.g. NZ ODI series.

Australia showed what kinda player Fawad is during the 2014/2015 ODI series in UAE.. cant buy a run under pressure and when bowled according to the field. Struggled to get the ball out of infield in UAE itself... Have seen enough of this Lagaan batsman on what he can do at international level.. I would better give chances to Umar Amin, Hussain Talat, Saad Ali, Saud Shakeel, Saif Badar and Usman Salahuddin than Fawad who also now doesn't have age on his side..

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Fakhar is a different player now. He is much better than the batsman we saw even in the CT.

Agree but not ready yet... Let him stamp his authority more in LOIs, may be after the CWC if he is still good then induct him in tests.. Now i think is too soon for him to open in tests...

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Anderson and Broad will expose Fakhar's technique badly in those May conditions. Best to debut Fakhar in our next UAE series and let him settle into test cricket first

100% agree... There will be a potential loss of his LOI game after the hit on confidence which is highly likely in tests with Clouderson and broad.

 

[imshally81]

Azhar Ali
Sami Aslam
Babar Azam
Harris Sohail
Asad Shafiq
Fawad Alam
Sarfaraz Ahmed
Yasir Shah
M Amir
Hasan Ali
M Abbas

 

[Ami Perth]

Fawad Alam is by far one of the best batsman pakistan have ever produced. He is very unfortunate player being ignored by the Section Committees since 2010..people who asking about his debacle performance against Australia in odi series during 2014 are forgetting his brilliant performances in Australia at perth in 2010...in England in 2010 in Asia cup 2014..in Sri Lanka aginst Sri Lanka in 2014..in UAE against South Africa..check his records please before making sweeping remarks..he will do better in up coming series if he gets proper chances..if he was selected in the last series against Sri Lanka in UAE pakistan would have won the series by 2.0 margin instead of loosing 2.0..

 

[shokz1408]

Fawad Alam is by far one of the best batsman pakistan have ever produced. He is very unfortunate player being ignored by the Section Committees since 2010..people who asking about his debacle performance against Australia in odi series during 2014 are forgetting his brilliant performances in Australia at perth in 2010...in England in 2010 in Asia cup 2014..in Sri Lanka aginst Sri Lanka in 2014..in UAE against South Africa..check his records please before making sweeping remarks..he will do better in up coming series if he gets proper chances..if he was selected in the last series against Sri Lanka in UAE pakistan would have won the series by 2.0 margin instead of loosing 2.0..

And to add to that, if people are okay with babar azam continuing after an atrocious ODI series in New Zealand, then should also consider that Fawad can also have a bad series.

 

[b.lesner]

Not even discussed i think.

6'5 height swing ball both ways and he isn't even discussed i think he could be a trump card in English conditions

 

[Kashmiri_Pak_fan]

What is the latest on fitness test? What is the list of players to go though this test?

 

[Hasan123]

Can we have an update when the players who will be involved in the camp will be announced? The reason for our successful tour of England in 2016 was because we prepared well and arrived in England early. We are playing 2 tests so I would like to see us arrive early. This camp should be used as a chance for Arthur to see which players he would like to take to England.

 

[MenInG]

Fitness tests for test match tours to be held at Lahore from Monday

LAHORE: Pakistan’s tours to England and Ireland are just around the corner and thus, fitness tests for the cricketers have been announced to be held at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) from Monday.

The test matches will be held on April 9 and 10 and will be played by centrally-contracted cricketers. Leg-spinner Yasir Shah, all-rounder Imad Wasim and medium pacer Sohail Khan will not be participating due to injuries.
It was reported that Imad Wasim had suffered a concussion in the recently concluded Pakistan Super League (PSL) and Yasir Shah is currently dealing with a hip injury. However, the nature of his injury will be reviewed after which a decision will be taken regarding his selection.

PSL stars Hussain Talat, Asif Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Sahibzada Farhan are also on the list of players who will take the fitness tests, as well as, Fawad Alam whose chances of selection in the national squad are low, according to a local news source.

The probables for the Ireland and England Tests will be announced after seeing the results of the fitness tests. Chief Selector Inzamam-ul-Haq has recommended 17 players in the squad for the test tours.

https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/20...match-tours-to-be-held-at-lahore-from-monday/

 

[babajee]

Good to see Sahibzada Farhan in the picture.

 

[Square Drive]

Damn, hope Yasir recovers.

 

[babajee]

Damn, hope Yasir recovers.

Might be better for us if he doesn’t

 

[MenInG]

Yasir Shah and fitness tests! Always an issue.

 

[MMHS]

If Yasir isn't 110% fit, he shouldn't be in squad. It's a 2 Test series - if he can't make it 1st Test, he'll be big flop in 2nd.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

If Yasir can’t make it I wonder who will be the main spinner.

Shadab isn’t ready for tests yet imo, but I suspect he will be picked due to his allround game

 

[Asch Ali]

If Yasir doesn’t make the XI. The spinners should be Mohammed Asghar and Ibtisam Sheikh (Zulfiqar Babar).

 

[Asch Ali]

Zulfiqar Babar should get a recall along with the choice of a young spinner. The young spinner will be given chance to show himself while Zulqibar Babar will give him reliable experience.

 

[deems]

Yasir shah ruled out of UK tour?

According to reports, he's been ruled out due to a groin injury. Not looking good for Pak.

 

[MMHS]

According to reports, he's been ruled out due to a groin injury. Not looking good for Pak.

It’s actually can be a better news. Early June he won’t have done much at Lord’s and shouldn’t have been playing at Leeds at all. If he is fit, Haris is good enough for 15 overs, Asad & Azhar can bowl 15 more - that’s 30 overs of Leg, off & left arm spin.

4 out and out pacer - Amir, Hasan, Rahat & may be once for the last time - Asif.

 

[angrypathan]

Sohail Khan being referred to as a medium pacer Man that would sting to read as a pace bowler

 

[Arham_PakFan]

If Yasir doesn’t make the XI. The spinners should be Mohammed Asghar and Ibtisam Sheikh (Zulfiqar Babar).

You want to play two spinners in England in May/eaarly June?

 

[AssassinatedDevil]

Hope Pakistan make adequate preparations for the England Tour like last time. This pakistani test side is definitely weaker than the one from last time but can't rule them out just yet.

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

 

[Kazim_Pak86]

If Yasir doesn’t make the XI. The spinners should be Mohammed Asghar and Ibtisam Sheikh (Zulfiqar Babar).

If Yasir Shah does'nt make the tour, they'll throw in Shadab Khan to fill for him and his Test debut was'nt that great.

 

[Asch Ali]

You want to play two spinners in England in May/eaarly June?

Yea m. Who cares?

 

[PakLFC]

They will tell us of more injuries after these camps are over.

 

[Ami Perth]

players like Shaan Masood getting chances after chances but some people due to their own agenda not prepare to give Fawad Alam atleast one chance to prove himself that all statements against him are baseless, he can rotate strike of his will which is basic criteria to build a decent partnership in test or odis..he can hit boundaries as well when needed..people understand wrong of Micky Arthur statement when he said "Fawad should hit more boundaries if he wants to become a part of the team" Micky totlly denied his statement soon after it..and said that my statement quoted wrongly..i didn't say about hitting 4s and 6s..in my opinion cricket is being played by getting runs whether it comes from 1s..2s..3s..4s or atlast 6s..Fawad stricke rate is much higher compare to Hafeez..Ahmed Shehzad...Asad Shafique etc. One can see statistics before making comments..he has 56 runs batting average above all in the team..people who want to include Saad Ali or Usman Salahuddin over Fawad don't make sense and justice..