25 Pakistan players start training with PCB's pre-season red-ball camp in Karachi

Pakistan players are gearing up for an exciting event as the pre-season red-ball camp began on Tuesday, June 25 at the prestigious Hanif Mohammad High-Performance Centre in Karachi.

This two-week camp, running up until July 07, will bring together 24 talented players, with a 25th player to be confirmed shortly. The camp marks a significant step in preparing Pakistan's cricket talent for the upcoming season and beyond.

The importance of this camp cannot be overlooked, especially considering Pakistan's packed schedule in the ongoing World Test Championship cycle.

With nine Test matches lined up for the 2024-25 season, including home series against Bangladesh and England in August and October, respectively. They will also play away matches in South Africa in December/January and later will play two Tests at home against West Indies in January 2025, making the camp a need of the hour for the Pakistani side.

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Great opportunity to work on our fitness: Imam-ul-Haq

The roster for the camp boasts a mix of experienced Test cricketers and promising young talent. Eight of the participants, including Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, and Sarfaraz Ahmed, have already represented Pakistan in Test cricket. This mic of experience and fresh talent creates an ideal environment for learning and growth. Imam-ul-Haq emphasized the camp's significance.

“Considering we are scheduled to play nine Test matches in the upcoming season, the camp is a great opportunity for all of us to work on our fitness and get ready for a busy season. For youngsters, they are selected in this forthcoming camp after performing at the domestic level. The camp provides them an opportunity to work closely with the senior cricketers and learn what is required at the highest level,” Imam said in a statement to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Following this camp, 15 players will be selected for the Pakistan Shaheens' camp, scheduled from July 8 to 13. The Shaheens will then go on a tour to Darwin, Australia, where they will participate in various matches, including two four-day games against Bangladesh 'A', two one-day games, and a nine-team Top End T20 Series.

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Players for pre-season fitness and fielding camp: Abdullah Shafique, Faisal Akram, Haseebullah, Hunain Shah, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Kashif Ali, Khurram Shahzad, Mehran Mumtaz, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Mubasir Khan, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair Bin Yousuf, Sahibzada Farhan, Sameen Gul, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, Shahnawaz Dahani, Tayyab Tahir, Umar Amin, Usman Qadir and Zahid Mahmood.

One more player will be added to the camp next week.