Kamran Akmal and Ahmed Shehzad asked by PCB to join training camp

Pakistan Cricket Board on Monday called wicket-keeper batsman Kamran Akmal and opening batsman Ahmed Shehzad for the preparatory training camp for Pakistan’s upcoming tour of the West Indies. The decision seems to have come after both performed well during the domestic season in Pakistan.

Shahzad (Quetta Gladiators) and Kamran (Peshawar Zalmi) were also part of the Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) final for the second edition which seemingly have impressed the national selectors after their decent performances. As per reports, the training camp will be held at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore from March 11.

The West Indies tour of seven weeks consists of four Twenty20 Internationals, three One-day Internationals and three Tests which will be beginning from March 26 in Barbados. Under the instruction of PCB chief selector Inzamam-Ul-Haq, Head Coach Mickey Arthur will also monitor the 25-member players’ fitness during the camp.

Earlier, Misbah-ul-Haq, who drew a lot of flak after losing the three-match Test series against Australia but he will be captaining the team in the upcoming tour. The reports further added the team will be announced on March 17 at the PCB headquarters.

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Following the impressive performances during the recently concluded PSL league, youngsters like Hassan Khan, Hussain Talat and Shadab Khan were asked to report on March 8 after their good show in domestic level as emerging players. The Lahore-born right-handed batsman Shehzad has played 75 ODIs, 44 T20Is and 11 Tests and Kamran has played 154 ODIs, 54 T20Is and 53 Tests for Pakistan.

Meanwhile, in Pakistan, cricket has triumphed as safety unfolded during the final of the PSL at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. As the 30,000-strong crowd packed the stands in to witness the thriller, the phantom of terror vanquished. With this positivity, Pakistan may hopefully resume international cricket too in its backyard, and not have to travel to UAE for all its games.