PCB Worried About The Logistical Aspect Of The Training Camp Ahead Of England Tour

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has expressed concerns about the preparations of their team leading to the England tour amid a global health crisis. Pakistan cricket team will visit England in the upcoming months to play Tests and limited-overs series. The ECB will reportedly send a charter plane for the tourists to come to their country, where all the games would take place without spectators.

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Nevertheless, before the high-profile series, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to organise a camp for all the players. A source from the PCB reported that they plan to invite 30 to 35 players out of which a group of 25 would be chosen. The men in green are slated to play three Tests and three T20Is on the English soil.

As far as the PCB is concerned, accomodating more than 30 men, which also includes the officials at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore is problematic. The source went on to say that the idea is for the players to stay and train at the academy; however, keeping a large group of people at the same time requires massive accommodation facilities which they have a shortage of.

“It has become a logistical headache for the board to organise the camp since the boarding-lodging facilities at the national cricket academy in Lahore are not enough to accommodate 30 players plus officials. The idea is that the players stay at the NCA and also train in groups and use the facilities for training at the academy and net practice. But the problem is accommodating such a large number of players and officials at one time.” the source said as quoted by Hindustan Times.

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The representative continued saying that Misbah-Ul-Haq’s strategy includes making small groups and training to stay clear from COVID-19. Before beginning the camp, tests of all players and officials will take place.

The former Pakistan captain wants the players to adjust to isolation facilities and conditions so that they don’t have difficulty adjusting to it in England. Players like Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Wahab Riaz, and Mohammad Amir, who haven’t secured central contracts would also participate in the camp.

“Logistically, it is a problem because Misbah’s plan is that the players start training in small groups so that they are safe from the Covid-19. Tests of all players and officials will be conducted before they attend the camp,” the representative said.

“He wants the players to adjust to similar quarantine/bio-safety conditions so they don’t face problems adjusting in England. But even players without central contracts like Wahab Riaz, Muhammad Aamir, Shoaib Malik and Muhammad Hafeez and other top performers off domestic cricket will be invited to the camp.” the representative added further.

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