27 Pakistan players take part in PCB’s high-performance camp

After lifting their first ever ICC Champions Trophy last month, Pakistan are not going to just rest on the glory. Pakistan Cricket Board has already set their sights on the 2019 World Cup and is taking measures to prepare the national players for the mega event.

The PCB announced a rigorous 10-week National High-Performance Cricket Camp for 27 players in Lahore which kick started today. They have included a few youngsters who are currently playing for Pakistan as well as players who are on the fringes for a possible selection. Cricketers will be trained under the supervision of experienced NCA coaches. The first two days of the camp will be more of a knowledge transfer where the players will have a one-on-one session with the coaches.

Young Fakhar Zaman, who played a memorable knock in the finals of the Champions Trophy against India a fortnight ago, will also be a part of the camp. Since his addition in the XI post Pakistan’s defeat in the first group game, Zaman instilled positivity in the side by playing unabashedly at the top of the order. Apart from Zaman; Haris Sohail, Rumman Raees, Shadab Khan and Fahim Ashraf; all part of the successful Champions Trophy campaign were also picked to take part in this camp.

Umar Akmal in the mix too

Umar Akmal, who was sent home from England after he failed a fitness test, will also be present for the 10-week camp. He hasn’t been in the news for the past few weeks and this is the time to make it count by working under the watchful eyes of esteemed coaches.

Umar Amin has also earned a call-up for this camp post his impressive outing in the Pakistan Cup. Amin hasn’t played for Pakistan for more than three years now but since he is only 27, Amin’s performance in the camp will be under noted by the coaches.

Pakistan are taking measures to improve themselves at the international level. They have recognised the importance of grooming the youngsters following the good showings of Fakhar Zaman in England.

Here is a complete list of the 27 players who will take part in the high-performance camp:

Openers: Sami Aslam, Fakhar Zaman, Imam ul Haq, Sahibzada Farhan

Middle-order batsmen: Umar Amin, Haris Sohail, Usman Salahuddin, Asif Zakir, Umar Akmal

Fast bowlers: Usman Shinwari, Sameen Gul, Mohammad Irfan, Mir Hamza, Rumman Raees

Spinners: Mohammad Asghar, Shadab Khan, Bilal Asif, Mohammad Irfan, Usama Mir

Fast bowling all-rounders: Amir Yamin, Fahim Ashraf, Ammad Butt, Hussain Talat

Spin bowling all-rounders: Mohammad Nawaz, Agha Salman

Wicket-keepers: Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Hassan.