KARACHI: Pakistan Test team bowling coach Umar Gul has outlined a detailed program for fast bowlers returning from the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 ahead of the two-match Test series against Bangladesh.
The pacers include Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, and Amad Butt, who are currently participating in a four-day-long training camp for the series.
The first Test will be held on May 8 at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur, Dhaka.
The newly appointed bowling coach revealed the workload plan for bowlers returning to the Pakistan squad after playing in Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.
“For Shaheen [Shaheen Afridi], Hasan Ali, and other players who have been playing T20 cricket, we have prepared a workload plan for their return to Test cricket,” he told reporters in a media talk.
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“In this workload, they have to do one-and-a-half days of fielding, which amounts to 140 overs. Each bowler has been given a target to bowl around 15 to 20 overs,” he explained.
“Transitioning from T20 to Test cricket can be difficult at the start, and it was important for the players to prepare for the longer format,” the bowling coach continued.
He also emphasized the conditions in Bangladesh, urging the players to adapt to them as much as possible.
“Preparations for the Bangladesh tour are underway. Weather conditions in Karachi and Bangladesh are quite similar, and players have been encouraged to spend as much time on the field as possible to adapt to the heat,” Umar said.
“We have options of both pacers and spinners in our squad. It is also encouraging to see Babar Azam back in form,” Umar Gul concluded.
Pakistan Squad for Bangladesh Series
Shan Masood (captain), Abdullah Fazal, Amad Butt, Azan Awais, Babar Azam, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel and Shaheen Shah Afridi