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Get match fit, Pakistani cricketers told
A preparatory camp for the India-bound cricket team has been deferred and the players have been asked to take part in a domestic tournament.
A preparatory camp for the India-bound cricket team has been deferred and the players have been asked to take part in a domestic tournament to prove their form and fitness.
"The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to postpone a conditioning camp in Lahore, which was scheduled to start from Tuesday. Now, it will be held for just two days, on February 26-27, before the team's departure for Delhi on February 28," a local daily on Tuesday quoted a board official as saying.
Instead, the players have been asked to turn out for Patron's Trophy matches.
The PCB had originally scheduled the camp for February 19-21 but postponed this after the tour was delayed.
The PCB official said that all selected players, except captain Inzamam-ul-Haq and Yousuf Youhana, who were not employed with any organisation, were directed to play in the Patron's Trophy.
"The feeling is that since the departments and organisations pay handsome salaries to these players, they are entitled to have their services when they are not playing for Pakistan," said the official.
"It was also felt that instead of a camp it would be better if the players appeared in a proper four-day match to get match practice and also test their fitness," he said.
Organisations and departments that employed cricketers recently complained about the non-availability of international players even when they were not on national duty despite being given hefty pay packages and perks.
"Those complaints apparently have convinced (PCB chairman) Shaharyar Khan and (chief selector) Wasim Bari that there is no substitute for match practice," the official said.
One disadvantage of the changed plan would be that the players would now not be able to practise for a longer period with the Sanspareils Greenlands (SG) balls that will be used during the India series.
While the rest of cricket playing nations use the Kookaburra ball approved by the International Cricket Council, India uses the SG ball for domestic matches as well as Tests and One-Day Internationals.
