LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has strengthened its ongoing training camps by adding several players, including Test batters Abdullah Shafique and Kamran Ghulam, as concerns over the fitness of some squad members continue ahead of a busy international schedule.
According to details, the board made late additions to both the red-ball and white-ball camps currently underway at the National Cricket Academy (NCA).
Alongside Abdullah Shafique and Kamran Ghulam, Hamza Nazar has also been drafted into the Test camp, while emerging opener Shahzaib Khan has joined the white-ball setup.
Sources said the move was prompted by fitness concerns involving a number of players in the Test squad, with coaches keen to ensure sufficient depth before Pakistan embark on tours of the West Indies and England later this year.
The red-ball camp, which began on June 8, will continue until July 10, while the white-ball camp is scheduled to run until September 18 and features 27 players.
Players involved in the Test camp are currently taking part in scenario-based practice matches at the Lahore City Cricket Association (LCCA) Ground.
The sessions have been designed to replicate different match situations, with batters and bowlers assigned specific targets to help coaches assess performances under varying conditions.
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National and academy coaches are closely monitoring the players throughout the programme as preparations intensify for Pakistan’s upcoming assignments.
Recent reports have suggested that wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan and vice-captain Saud Shakeel are doubtful for the forthcoming Test tour of the West Indies.
Pakistan are scheduled to leave for the Caribbean on July 13 and will play a four-day warm-up match from July 18 before the start of the two-match Test series in Trinidad and Tobago.
The opening Test is set to be played from July 25 to 29, while the second match will run from August 2 to 6.
Following the Caribbean tour, Pakistan will head to England for a three-match Test series beginning at Headingley on August 19.
The second Test will be held at Lord’s from August 27, while Edgbaston will host the final match starting on September 9.
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