The Pakistan squad has gathered in Karachi for a training camp ahead of this month’s two-match Test series against Sri Lanka.
The training camp now has 16 players, including Pakistan captain Babar Azam, pacer Naseem Shah, and wicketkeeper-batter Sarfaraz Ahmed.
Hasan Ali, the fast bowler, and Shan Masood, the top-order hitter, will report to camp tomorrow.
Despite not being included in Pakistan’s Test squad for the Sri Lanka trip, spinners Zahid Mahmood and Sajid Ali have been called up for the camp.
Mohammad Rizwan, the wicketkeeper-batter, was not present for the first session of the training camp on Tuesday owing to personal issues, but he is expected to be available later in the day.
The players will be freed from camp on Friday evening to attend the wedding of bowler Haris Rauf in Islamabad. They will reconvene in Karachi on Saturday before departing for Sri Lanka via Dubai on the same day.
Itinerary of Pakistan’s tour of Sri Lanka:
- 9 July – Pakistan land in Colombo
- 11 and 12 July – Warm-up game
- 16-20 July – First Test at Galle International Cricket Stadium
- 24-28 July – Second Test at Singhalese Sports Club, Colombo
Pakistan squad
Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (vc & wk), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Afridi, and Shan Masood
Support staff for players
Aftab Khan (fielding coach), Abdul Rehman (assistant coach), Drikus Saaiman (strength and conditioning coach), Cliffe Deacon (physiotherapist), Ahsan Iftikhar Nagi (media and digital content manager), Lt Col Usman Anwari (Retd) (security manager), Talha Ejaz (analyst), and Malang Ali (masseur).