&w=3840&q=100)
Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan asked to attend Skills Development camp as T20I future looks bleak: 'It is about giving players clarity'
Amid media reports that Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan's T20I futures are in doubt, the PCB has asked them to attend a Skills Development camp. read more
Babar Azam and Mohamad Rizwan will soon attend Skills development camp in Lahore. Image: Reuters
Former Pakistan cricket team captains Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have been asked by the country's governing board to attend a Skills and Development camp at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Saturday said a total of 63 players for the camp, which will focus on helping the players develop their cricketing skills.
The announcement of the skill development camp and that Babar and Rizwan are joining it comes close on the heels of stunning media reports that the batting duo and Shaheen Shah Afridi do not feature in Pakistan selectors' plans for future T20I assignments .
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Babar, Rizwan asked to attend Skills Development camp
It's now expected that Babar and Rizwan would focus on their T20I hitting skills during the Skills and Development camp.
The first batch will include 47 players and the 20-day camp will start from 16 June.
As per the PCB, the players in the camp will work on fitness and fielding sessions from 6 am to 8 am, followed by skill-based sessions (net practice) from 2:30 pm to 6:30 pm at the Lahore City Cricket Association (LCCA) Ground and NCA from Monday to Thursday.
After training, the players will take part in match simulations at the LCCA Ground on Friday and Saturday.
PCB says players will be given one-on-one coaching sessions
The camp for the second batch will run from 23 June and include 16 players.
'We have invited 47 players to the 20-day skills camp at the National Cricket Academy following detailed discussions with white-ball head coach Mike Hesson,' Director High-Performance Aqib Javed said.
'This is an invaluable opportunity for the players to take a brief pause from competitive cricket and focus on enhancing their fitness and refining key aspects of their game.
'With a busy international calendar ahead, this window allows us to provide targeted support to the players, so they can return better prepared for the challenges to come.
'There is a complete alignment between the coaching staff at the National Cricket Academy and the national men's team. We are working in close coordination to ensure that every initiative contributes to the long-term progress of Pakistan cricket.
Javed added that players will be given one-on-one coaching sessions to identify the areas of improvement.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
'A central feature of this camp is the one-on-one coaching sessions. These personalised interactions allow each player to engage directly with coaches, understand the finer details of their game and identify areas that need attention. It is about giving players the clarity and tools to improve.
'In addition to supporting player development, this camp will also serve as a useful resource for the selectors as they begin to shape squads for both the Pakistan men's side and the Pakistan Shaheens ahead of upcoming international commitments.'
First batch of Pakistan players for Skills Development camp:
Aamir Jamal, Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Babar Azam, Hasan Nawaz, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza and Sufyan Moqim
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)

Business Standard
4 hours ago
- Business Standard
India legend to guide Team India's Test prep amid coach Gambhir's absence
Indian cricket icon VVS Laxman will temporarily oversee the national team's preparations for the upcoming Test series against England, stepping in for head coach Gautam Gambhir, who is currently away due to personal reasons. As per a report from RevSportz, Gambhir had to leave the UK ahead of the series opener to attend to his ailing mother. Laxman, the current head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA), is already in London as part of the India U-19 team's tour and will take charge of training and strategy sessions until Gambhir is able to rejoin the squad. With prior experience in an interim coaching role—most notably during India's T20I series against South Africa—Laxman's temporary stewardship is seen as a stabilizing move during a key transition phase for the Test side. India enters this marquee series with a restructured squad, following the recent Test retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Shubman Gill takes over the captaincy mantle, with Rishabh Pant serving as his deputy. The absence of senior figures like Ravichandran Ashwin, who retired mid-way through the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and Mohammed Shami, who hasn't regained full fitness, further adds to the challenge. A key concern for India will be managing the workload of Jasprit Bumrah, who is expected to feature in only three of the five Tests due to fitness considerations. The exact matches in which he will play remain undecided and will likely depend on conditions and match situations. Despite the significant changes and youth-oriented squad, former Australian skipper Michael Clarke believes India remains strong enough to challenge England. 'There's plenty of talent in that squad. It's about how they handle the pressure in England's tough conditions,' he noted. With Laxman's guidance, India's young brigade will look to adapt quickly and start a new chapter in their red-ball journey on a positive note.


Mint
8 hours ago
- Mint
VVS Laxman to oversee India's preparations in England until head coach Gautam Gambhir rejoins squad: Report
Former India cricketer and current chief of National Cricket Academy (NCA), VVS Laxman will be overseeing the preparations of the Indian team in England until head coach Gautam Gambhir rejoins the side. Gambhir had to rush back to India on an emergency basis after his mother suffered a heart attack. Based on a Revsportz report, Laxman is currently in the United Kingdom and will be in charge of the main team in their preparation for the first Test against England, which starts on June 20 at Headingly. The report also added that Laxman will also be present in this part of the world for the India U-19 team's tour of England. This is not the first time Laxman has been given the charge of the senior Indian team. Earlier, Laxman guided the Indian team to a T20I series win against South Africa and Ireland in the absence of Gambhir and Rahul Dravid respectively. Although several media reports claimed that Gambhir is likely to be back in England before the first Test against England, but nothing conclusive can be said as of now. Gambhir rejoining the Indian squad purely depends on how fast his mother recovers. In the upcoming series, India face a massive challenge in the testing conditions of England. After batting wizards Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli bid adieu to Test cricket last month, India was left short on experience. With India bereft of its torchbearers, the management turned to youngsters to mark the beginning of a new era. The five-test tour of England starts June 20 at Leeds and lasts until August 2025. With India lining up without its batting bigwigs, the onus lies on the Shubman-led revamped side to prove itself away from home in testing and gruelling English conditions. The series will be held from June to August, with matches scheduled at Headingley in Leeds, Edgbaston in Birmingham, Lord's and The Oval in London, and Old Trafford in Manchester.


NDTV
8 hours ago
- NDTV
This India Legend To Oversee Preparation For England Tests In Gautam Gambhir's Absence: Report
Indian cricket team legend VVS Laxman will be overseeing the preparation for the upcoming Test series against England in head coach Gautam Gambhir 's absence, according to a report by RevSportz. Gambhir left England just ahead of the Test series to reportedly tend to his ill mother. The report claimed that Laxman, who heads the National Cricket Academy (NCA), is already in London ahead of the U-19 team's tour of United Kingdom. The legendary batter will be overseeing the preparation till Gambhir rejoins the side. Laxman had previously guided the Indian cricket team in a T20I series against South Africa. However, the report did not mention when Gambhir will travel back to England. Meanwhile, former Australia captain Michael Clarke believes India is in "safe hands" and has "enough talent" to trounce England, but it will all come down to how the young-looking squad will leave a mark in the series on a territory known for being "tough." India has taken the first steps towards a new era after batting maestros Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli bid farewell to the Test format more than a month before the five-match series kicks off at Headingley on June 20. Shubman Gill was deemed Rohit's successor and appointed the Test captain, with Rishabh Pant serving as his deputy. Apart from the two batting bigwigs, India will line up without crafty off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who retired midway through the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, and seasoned pacer Mohammed Shami, who wasn't deemed fit to make the cut for the series. Apart from the absent stars, India will have to devise a blueprint to maximise Jasprit Bumrah 's limited availability. India has the option to exercise the policy of using its pace spearhead just three times in the series. As of now, clouds of uncertainty hover over which three Test Bumrah would be available to play for.