KARACHI: Test cricketer Fawad Alam shared that he watched Australia from the stands when last time they came to the country back in 1998.
In a presser here on Wednesday, Fawad said it feels great to represent Pakistan in a historic home series against Australia.
“Last time when Australia played in Pakistan, I watched the match from stands as a fan. This time when they are coming, I am preparing as a player. It is a great feeling,” he said.
“Our people missed watching them in our grounds. They are equally excited for this series and good cricket awaits them,” he added.
Talking about team’s preparations, Fawad spoke about scenario-based training sessions. “Our training camp here was effective for all the players. Saqi Bhai and Yousaf Bhai worked with players, giving different scenarios to them,” the cricketer shared.
“Scenario-based training is not completely different. It is like normal training, the scenario just adds match-like feelings to it. For example, batters get scenarios, bowlers are also given different tasks. So, it is how it goes and helps players in preparations,” he concluded.
It must be noted here that Australia is coming to Pakistan for the first time in 24 years to play three Tests, as many ODIs and one-off T20I.
KARACHI: Pakistan’s bowling coach, Shaun Tait will join the Test squad late due to his father’s demise, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) informed on Tuesday.
In a statement, PCB condoled the passing of Tait’s father and shared that his arrival in Pakistan has been delayed.
“PCB condoles the passing of bowling coach Shaun Tait’s father, due to which his arrival in Pakistan has been delayed. Shaun’s new arrival date will be confirmed in due course,” the statement read.
It must be noted here that Tait was appointed as the Pakistan team’s bowling coach for 12 months. His first assignment will be Pakistan’s home series against Australia.
KARACHI: Left-handed middle-order batter Saud Shakeel has worked hard on his technique and is confident to perform in the historic home Test series against Australia in March.
In an interview released by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Saud said he worked on his fitness and technique during time off from cricket due to the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 7.
“I worked hard on my fitness and technique back home. During off days from cricket, I attended an unofficial training camp in Lahore where I worked on my fitness and technique,” he said.
“Our training camp here is going well. We are playing scenario-based matches here which are similar to real matches. These are helping us to adjust in the condition and be ready for Test cricket,” he added.
Saud said Australia is a tough opponent but Pakistan play good cricket at home. “I believe we are a good side at home conditions. Australia are tough opponents so good cricket awaits fans,” the cricketer concluded.
MELBOURNE: Cricket Australia (CA) has named 16-men white-ball squad for their upcoming tour of Pakistan.
Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, David Warner and Mitchell Starc will miss the white-ball series due to their participation in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022.
The squad will be led by opener Aaron Finch and includes Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Ben McDermott, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.
Australia will be touring Pakistan in March-April this year after a gap of almost 24 years. Apart from three Tests, the Aussies will play three ODIs and one-off T20I.
WHITE-BALL SERIES SCHEDULE:
March 29: First ODI, Rawalpindi
March 31: Second ODI, Rawalpindi
April 2: Third ODI, Rawalpindi
April 5: Only T20I, Rawalpindi
KARACHI: Pakistan’s Test off-spinner Sajid Khan said he owns his wicket-taking celebration style and does not copy Indian cricketer, Shikhar Dhawan.
In a media talk on the sidelines of Pakistan Test team’s training camp, Khan shared interesting facts about his signature celebration style ‘Tapping a hand on thigh with other hand raised up towards the sky’ which was called a copy of Dhawan’s ‘Kabaddi-style wicket celebration’.
“I am not copying Dhawan, doing this celebration style since my school cricket days. Even, I was fined twice for this in First-Class cricket if you remember,” the spinner told reporters.
Talking about training camp, Khan said they are preparing strongly as Australia are the top side in the world and will give a tough time to the Green Caps.
“We are really excited for this series so does everyone. But, it will not be easy to face Australia even in our home conditions as they are one of the top teams in the world,” he said.
“Our training camp here is going well and we are learning from coaches, the tips and techniques to take on Australia next month. Our target is to beat them and make our position stronger in ICC World Test Championship,” he added.
It is pertinent to mention here that available Test players of Pakistan team are currently undergoing a training camp here at National Stadium. On February 23, these players will travel to Rawalpindi where other Test players, who are busy in Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 7, will join them.
Meanwhile, Test team players, who were part of the Karachi Kings and Quetta Gladiators’ squad, will join the training camp here on Wednesday. The two franchises were out of PSL 7’s playoffs race.
KARACHI: Australian team’s assistant and spin bowling coach, India’s Sridharan Sriram pulled out of the upcoming Pakistan tour.
According to Indian reports, Sriram will fly back to India when Australia’s historic Pakistan tour is scheduled. The reports further claimed that Cricket Australia (CA) has contacted former New Zealand’s spinner Daniel Vettori for Sriram’s replacement during Pakistan’s tour.
Reasons for Sriram’s decision are unclear but it has raised concerns for CA as they will have to tour Pakistan without a spin bowling coach.
It is pertinent to mention here that Australia will tour Pakistan for the first time in 24 years to play three Tests, as many ODIs and one-off T20I. The historic tour will take place in March-April this year in Rawalpindi, Karachi and Lahore.
KARACHI: Test players and coaching staff are busy with scenario-based practice sessions here at National Stadium as the home Australia series is just around the corner.
It looks like this ‘Scenario-based practice’ has become the coaching mantra to tackle Australia in the Test series, starting next month.
Players including Fawad Alam, Azhar Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, and Saud Shakeel are participating in the camp which also includes reserve players – Yasir Shah and Mohammad Abbas.
These players are also joined by some additional players who are there to gain experience from the experienced ones.
The coaching staff headed by Saqlain Mushtaq is creating scenarios for players participating in the camp. Be it fielding, batting, or bowling, these players are trying to get the feel of Test cricketer as they last played red-ball cricket in November-December last year.
KARACHI: Pakistan’s batting coach for the Australia series, Mohammad Yousaf shared his ‘mantra’ of coaching Test specialists before the historic home series against Australia in March this year.
In a video interview released by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Yousaf said the coaching team is getting players adjusted to the Test environment.
“Last time, we played a Test against Bangladesh last year. Players were at their homes, haven’t played the longer format during last couple months,” he said.
“So, here we are up with the task to adjust them in the Test environment. We are making scenarios for the players for strong preparations. Australia series is important as it is part of the ICC Test championship. We are really looking forward to it,” he added.
Yousaf also shared activities in the training camp which was kicked off in Karachi on February 17. “Batters are batting session by session. We are playing 90 overs just like a Test match. We are giving Test match feel to the players,” he concluded.
KARACHI: Pakistan Test squad held a practice session for the second consecutive day to race up the preparation for the upcoming home series against Australia, scheduled in March.
In a practice session, held at National Stadium Karachi, players participated in different training sessions.
Each player of the Test squad practised according to certain match scenarios and participated in the batting sessions.
Furthermore, the management has also started to implement strategic plans for openers, middle order, and even tail-enders.
The head coach of the Pakistan men’s cricket team – Saqlain Mushtaq and the newly appointed batting consultant – Mohammad Yousuf monitored the preparations and performance of the players.
It is worth mentioning here that Australia will be touring Pakistan after 24 years to play three Tests, as many ODIs and one-off T20I. The Aussies will first play three Tests in Rawalpindi, Karachi, and Lahore, respectively. They have announced a full-strength squad for the Test series.
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KARACHI: Pakistan’s Test squad for the upcoming home series against Australia has started training under the supervision of Head Coach Saqlain Mushtaq and Batting Coach Muhammad Yousuf, here on Thursday.
In the practice session, the Australia-series bound squad hit the training sessions. The players practised according to certain match scenarios and participated in the net sessions.
The training camp includes Azhar Ali, Fawad Alam, Imam-ul-Haq, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan and Saud Shakeel. Whereas, reserve players Yasir Shah and Mohammad Abbas are also part of the camp.
Furthermore, additional players called for the training camp includes Alian Mahmood, Ahmed Bashir, Ali Usman, Arshadullah, Haseebullah, Muhammad Ali, Raza Mustafa and Taj Wali.
Whereas, Test squad members participating in the PSL will join the squad after the conclusion of the marquee event.
Newly appointed bowling coach – Shaun Tait will join the squad later in Rawalpindi.
It is worth mentioning here that Australia will be touring Pakistan after 24 years to play three Tests, as many ODIs and one-off T20I. The Aussies will first play three Tests in Rawalpindi, Karachi, and Lahore, respectively. They have announced a full-strength squad for the Test series.
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