Pakistan to hold high performance camp in Abbottabad

“It’s important that we identify our top 30 players at the start of the season,” Urooj Mumtaz, Pakistan’s Chief Selector, said. “We are holding this camp to work on our skills in all three departments of the game.”

Pakistan is set to play Bangladesh and West Indies before heading to Australia for the 2020 ICC Women’s World T20 in February-March. Their international assignments aside, Pakistan’s A team is scheduled to tour Sri Lanka in October. 

Apart from the 10 contracted players, the women’s national selection committee— Mumtaz, Asmavia Iqbal and Marina Iqbal—picked 20 other players to join the camp with an intention to prepare a strong group of players who will be ready for international cricket.

“We have selected some junior players who can help form the ‘A’ team that will tour Sri Lanka in October. We will also focus on the players who are in contention for the national team’s series against the Bangladesh team.”

“The mix of players will also enable to bridge the gap at the domestic level as well as provide healthy competition within the group.”

During the course of the camp, the players will spend one day (August 28) at the Kakul Military Academy. 

“The players will be spending the day as cadets to experience their daily routine,” explained Mumtaz. “The idea is to give a different experience to the players and help them understand the benefits of a disciplined life and routine with strenuous training which should help broaden the scope of their thinking. This activity should help them learn and observe a different life style while focusing on traits like determination, resilience and focus.”

The camp is an attempt by the PCB to help raise the profile of the women’s game by preparing the young players for what is to come. Mumtaz believes that it will also give the coaching staff a chance to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the players on show and possibly pick out those they believe have the potential to succeed at the international level.

“I really believe this camp will be a wonderful opportunity for our present and future players to ready themselves for the upcoming season,” Mumtaz said. “I also expect this will serve as an opportunity for the coaching staff to understand the philosophy of coaching which should help us progress as we aim to become a top force in international cricket.”

Mark Coles, head coach of Pakistan, will oversee the entire camp alongside Shahid Anwar, the ‘A’ team coach. Iqbal Imam (batting coach), while Gemaal Hussain (trainer), Dr. Rifat Asghar Gill, Sajida Fajar (both physios) and Aisha Jalil (manager) complete the support staff.

Squad: Aliya Riaz, Aroob Shah, Ayesha Naz, Ayesha Zafar, Bibi Nahida, Bismah Maroof, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana,Huraina Sajjad, Iram Javed, , Javeria Wadood, Jaweria Rauf, Kainat Imtiaz, Kaynat Hafeez, Maham Tariq, Muneeba Ali, Najiha Alvi, Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Nida Rashid, Omaima Sohail, Rameen Shamim, Saba Nazir, Sadia Iqbal, Sana Mir, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz, Soha Fatima, Tuba Hassan, Waheeda Akhtar.