Pakistan’s newly appointed Test head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed outlined the main objectives behind the ongoing 13-day red-ball training camp at the National Cricket Academy (NCA).
Speaking to PCB Digital Media following the start of the camp, Sarfaraz said the preparation phase has been carefully designed to prepare the players for the demands of modern Test cricket, with a strong focus on match scenarios and understanding the overall game.
“Overall, it was a good camp for red-ball players organized by the National Cricket Academy. The focus was on skill development, competitive scenarios, fitness and improving players’ overall understanding of the game,” Sarfaraz said.
The former Pakistan captain further explained that the coaching staff has adopted a holistic approach, working closely with the players on both performance and professional development.
He highlighted that regular one-to-one sessions were held to assess individual performances and address specific improvements.
“We had one-on-one discussions with all the players about their activities and worked closely on their skills. The players were introduced to new fitness protocols, while the medical staff conducted individual sessions and lectures on nutrition, recovery and moving forward professionally,” he said.
The NCA red-ball camp, which began on April 8, concluded on Saturday evening with 17 players working hard on fitness, skills and match preparation ahead of the busy red-ball season.
Among the participants were four Test cricketers – Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Huraira, Noman Ali and Sajid Khan – who used the camp to fine-tune their preparation.
The camp also served as an important preparation for Pakistan’s upcoming two-Test series against Bangladesh, part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle.
From the announced 16-man squad, five players – Azaan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Muhammad Qazi Ghori, Noman Ali and Sajid Khan – were part of the NCA training camp.
The first Test will be played from May 8 to 12 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka, while the second Test is scheduled from May 16 to 20 at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.
The team will meet in Karachi on April 27 for a training camp that will last until May 1 before leaving for Bangladesh on May 2.
Players involved in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) will join after their respective team commitments, while the finalists will directly travel to Bangladesh.
Pakistan squad for Bangladesh series:
Shaun Masood (catch), Abdullah Fazal, Amat Butt, Azan Awais, Babar Azam, Hasan Ali, Imam ul Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Muhammad Qazi Ghori (wk), Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Shaki Agha, Salman Ali.