The much-anticipated red-ball pre-season fielding and fitness camp is set to commence tomorrow at the Hanif Mohammad High-Performance Centre in Karachi. This intensive two-week camp, running until July 7, includes 24 selected players, with the 25th participant to be confirmed soon.
Following the red-ball camp, 15 players will transition into the Pakistan Shaheens’ camp from July 8 to 13. The Shaheens are scheduled to depart for Darwin, Australia, on July 14, where they will play two four-day matches against Bangladesh ‘A,’ two one-day games, and participate in the nine-team Top End T20 Series.
Among the 24 camp participants, eight players have already donned the Test cap for Pakistan, bringing valuable experience to the session. These players include Abdullah Shafique (17 Tests), Imam-ul-Haq (24 Tests), Khurram Shahzad (one Test), Mohammad Wasim Jnr (two Tests), Sarfaraz Ahmed (54 Tests), Saud Shakeel (10 Tests), Umar Amin (four Tests), and Zahid Mahmood (two Tests).
With Pakistan scheduled to play nine Test matches in the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 during the 2024-25 season, the camp serves as a crucial preparation period. Pakistan’s upcoming Test fixtures include two matches against Bangladesh and three against England at home in August and October, respectively. The team will then travel to South Africa for two Test matches in December/January and return to host West Indies for two Tests in January 2025.
On the eve of the camp, Test cricketer Imam-ul-Haq highlighted the significance of this preparatory phase. “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,” he said. Imam also emphasized the benefits for younger players, noting, “The camp provides them an opportunity to work closely with the senior cricketers and learn what is required at the highest level.”
Young talent Mehran Mumtaz expressed his enthusiasm for the camp, stating, “I was recently invited to the NCA for the spinners camp, and now this red-ball camp in Karachi will help me further improve my skills. It is an opportunity for young players like me to learn from the experience of senior cricketers who will be part of the red-ball camp.”
Mumtaz also looked ahead to the Shaheens’ tour to Darwin, seeing it as a chance to showcase his talent and impress the selection committee ahead of a busy red-ball season.
The selected players are expected to report tonight, and the PCB will provide pictures and video clips from tomorrow’s session via the media WhatsApp groups.
The red-ball camp represents a critical step in Pakistan’s preparations for a demanding Test cricket schedule, aiming to sharpen the skills and fitness of both seasoned and emerging players.
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