PCB strength national team training camp bolster

 PCB strength national team training camp bolster 

The Pakistan Cricket Board has bolstered the strength of the national team training camp on Thursday with an addition of three pacers.

The camp training of the Pakistan cricket team initiated at the Pindi Cricket Stadium for the upcoming three-match Test series against Australia starting on December 14, 2023. In a fresh development, the pace bowling department of the camp has been strengthened with the addition of three new pacers—Sameen Gul, Ali Shafique, and Muhammad Ali.

Chief Selector Wahab Riaz had earlier revealed the inclusion of seven extra players in the training camp as part of the 18-member Test squad for the Australia series. Prominent names among the additions include Arshad Iqbal, Kashif Ali, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Shahnawaz Dahani, Usama Mir, and Usman Qadir.

Unfortunately, fast bowler Shahnawaz Dahani has been declared unfit to bowl, leading the PCB to send him to the National Cricket Academy for rehabilitation, with hopes for a swift recovery.

In a gesture of flexibility, the PCB has granted permission to former captain Babar Azam, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and Usman Qadir to attend Imam-ul-Haq's wedding after the opening day's practice. However, these three players are committed to participating in Friday's training session.

The confirmed squad for the Australia Tests includes Shan Masood (captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Saud Shakeel, and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

The Australia tour schedule comprises a four-day match against PM’s XI at Manuka Oval, Canberra, from December 6-9, followed by the Test series with matches scheduled at Perth Stadium (December 14-18), Melbourne Cricket Ground (December 26-30), and Sydney Cricket Ground (January 3-7).